Mediterranean chunky bean & vegetable soup

Mediterranean chunky bean & vegetable soup

Comfort food is good any time of year! I love this soup. Combination of vegetables and beans absolutely delicious. 

Serves 4 ( I would say 6)

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 onions, chopped
4 carrots, cut into 1/2 inch chunks
3 leeks, sliced ( I took 2)
2 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch bites
3 cups slice green cabbage (I took 2 cups)
a few thyme sprigs
2 bay leaves
1 (15-ounce) can canellini beans, drained
5 cups vegetable stock
salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste
grated cheese and sour cream to garnish

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the onions, cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Add carrots, parsnips, leeks, cabbage, thyme, and bay leaves and stir to lightly coat them all with oil. Cover and cook gently for another 10 minutes.

Add beans and stock, bring to boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer over gentle heat for 30 minutes. Season with salt, black and cayenne pepper, then ladle into warmed bowls, and top each with cheese and sour cream. Serve with whole-wheat bread.

Recipe from wonderful book  "The best of Rose Elliot. The Ultimate vegetable collection".