Rainbow Chard and White Bean Soup

This is an easy and satisfying soup to make, particularly when it’s cold outside. It’s load with chard, a great ‘supergreen,’ and white beans that deliver plenty of protein. You can add in leftover chicken if you like to make it even more loaded with protein.

Serves 4

Ingredients
4 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 stalks of celery, sliced
3 carrots, sliced into coins
Sea salt
2 15-oz. cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
4 cups (1 carton) low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
Juice of ½ lemon
4 cloves of garlic, minced
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 bunch of rainbow chard, washed and roughly chopped
Freshly ground pepper

Directions

1.       Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, carrots and 1 tsp. salt and cook until the vegetables are golden brown, about 5 minutes.

2.       \Add the beans and broth, bring to a simmer and cook 10 minutes.

3.       Meanwhile, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cilantro and cook until the garlic is soft, about 30 seconds. Stir in the chard, cover and cook until wilted, about 1-to-2 minutes.

4.       Scrape the contents of the skillet into the pot, add in the lemon juice and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

For more delicious recipes, see Grace O’s article on winter vegetables.

Learn more about FoodTrients’ nine benefits with these additional articles from our nutritionist Ginger Hultin and Grace O’s articles recipes that you can make with the top foods for each benefit:

Anti-Inflammatory

Anti-Inflammatory Foods: The Top 10

Antioxidants

Antioxidants Help Slow Down Premature Aging

Beauty

Beauty Is So Much More Than Skin Deep

Detox

Which Foods Are Best To Help You Detox?

Disease Prevention

Meet the Best Foods for Disease Prevention

Gut health

Good Gut Health Helps Prevent Diseases – FoodTrients

Immunity Booster

How To Support Your Immune System Naturally

Mind

How To Feed Your Brain and Keep Sharp

Strength

Strength-Building Food Is Key to Aging Well