Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 2 medium onions, peeled and diced
  • 3 cups dried navy beans, soaked overnight and drained
  • 3 quarts chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 pound slab bacon, cut into 3/4-inch-thick slices, then across into 1/4-inch-wide strips
  • 1 1/2 cups Italian parsley, very coarsely chopped
  • 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 18 1/4-inch-thick rounds French baguette, about 1 inch in diameter
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large head roasted garlic, cloves separated
  • 1 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

Method

  • To make the soup, heat the oil in a large saucepan.
  • Add the garlic and onions and saute until soft, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the beans and broth.
  • Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer until the beans are soft, about 1 1/2 hours.
  • Using a slotted spoon, remove 1 1/2 cups of beans and place in a food processor with 2 cups of the cooking liquid.
  • Puree until smooth and stir back into the soup.
  • Add the salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme.
  • Simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Reheat before serving.
  • To make the condiments, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until well browned, pouring off excess fat as it accumulates in the skillet.
  • Drain on paper towels.
  • Set aside.
  • Toss together the parsley, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper.
  • Set aside.
  • Brush the bread rounds with 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil, place on a baking sheet and bake until crisp, about 8 minutes.
  • Pile on a plate.
  • Place the bacon, parsley salad, roasted garlic and the Parmesan in separate bowls.
  • Ladle the soup into 6 bowls.
  • Serve, passing the condiments separately.