Tuscan Soup

Nothing can beat the experience of enjoying a bowl of delicious and healthy Tuscan soup during cold winters! Not only is it a mouth-watering dish, the added vegetables are also good for your health.

You can prepare this easy-to-make recipe for breakfast or enjoy it over dinner with lightly grilled gingerbread.

Health Benefits

Potatoes are widely consumed due to their unique taste. They provide nutrients essential to keep you fit and healthy. It also improves your brain health.It regulates blood pressure and thereby, reduces the risk of a stroke.

Protein                 31 g

Carbohydrates  52 g

Dietary Fiber      9 g

Potassium           1.65 g

Fat                         9 g

Sodium                807mg

Cholesterol         45 mg

Ingredients

pound skinless and boneless chicken breasts, halved and shredded: 1

tablespoon olive oil: 3

large potatoes, peeled and sliced: 2

medium carrots, peeled and chopped into small cubes: 2

lightly cooked cannellini beans, washed and drained: 400 g

large onion, peeled and chopped: 1

teaspoon fennel seeds: 1

cloves garlic, fine chopped: 4

cup chicken stock (ideally home-made): 1

teaspoon thyme, dried: 1/2

bunch celery, stemmed and chopped: 1

kale, stemmed and chopped: 100 g

large chunk of parmesan cheese, grated: 1

teaspoon sugar: 1

cups white flour: 2

teaspoon salt for taste: 1/2

teaspoon freshly ground black pepper: 1/2

pinch nutmeg, for taste: 1

loaf Italian bread, sliced: 1

tablespoon butter, softened: 3

tablespoon parsley and oregano, fine chopped: 1

cup Parmesan cheese, shredded: 1/4

pinch chili flakes

pinch fresh thyme: 1

parmesan or Locatelli romano cheese, grated

How To Make Tuscan Soup

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan.
2. Add onion to the saucepan and cook it for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally until the onion pieces soften.
3. Add thyme and garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Add carrots, potatoes, and celery to the saucepan. Stir lightly.
5. Pour chicken stock and sprinkle salt and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer for 15-20 minutes.
6. Add cannellini beans and cook at medium heat for 5 minutes.
7. Add shredded chicken pieces and heat for 3 minutes.
8. Add kale and stir. Simmer for up to 2 minutes until kale wilts.
9. Taste the soup and season it with salt and black pepper as per your taste.
10. Meanwhile, mix butter, garlic, parsley, and oregano in a bowl and apply this mixture over the bread slices.Wrap the bread in an aluminum foil and cookover a grill until it turns crispy.
11. Transfer the Tuscan soup in a serving bowl and top it with fresh thyme, parsley, chili flakes, and grated cheese.
12. Serve with garlic bread and enjoy!

Trivia

• The word potato originates from a Spanish word, patata.
• China is the leading producer of potatoes around the world.

Between 1845 and 1852, 1 million people died due to the shortage of potatoes.