Tri Color Bean Soup Recipes

THREE-BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Drain the white beans and combine with 7 cups water, the intact half of the onion, the 2 peeled garlic cloves and the bay leaf in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam that rises and reduce the heat. Cover and simmer 1 hour, until the beans are just tender. Add salt to taste and freshly ground pepper.
• In a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the chopped onion, carrot and celery. Cook, stirring, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes, and add the garlic and the red bell pepper. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beans with their liquid and the bouquet garni, and bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour, until the beans and vegetables are tender and the broth is aromatic. Taste and adjust salt. Add freshly ground pepper.
• Meanwhile, rinse out the saucepan you started the beans in, fill halfway with water and bring to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water in the saucepan comes to a boil, add salt to taste and drop in the green beans. Boil 4 minutes, and then transfer the beans to the ice water without draining the pot, using a slotted spoon or strainer. Drain the beans and cut in 1-inch pieces. Bring the water in the saucepan back to a boil and shell and skin the favas.
• Shortly before serving the soup, stir in the chopped parsley and mint, add the green beans and skinned favas and simmer for a few minutes. Serve, topped with Parmesan cheese if desired.

THREE BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook onion, green and yellow bell peppers in oil until softened. Stir in chicken broth, tomatoes, black beans, pinto beans and kidney beans. Heat through.

CONTEST-WINNING THREE-BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onion and green pepper in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

TRICOLOR BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl add beans, scallions, red and green peppers, jalapenos, and tomatoes. Toss to combine. In small bowl whisk together juice of limes, garlic, olive oil, cayenne, chili powder, a dash of Tabasco and salt. Pour over bean mixture and toss to combine. Top with cilantro and serve.

HUNGARIAN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, saute the onions in oil until they are glossy. Stir in garlic, paprika, celery, carrots, and saute for 10 minutes.
• Once the vegetables have sauteed for 10 minutes stir in tomatoes, chicken stock, lentils, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir well, then add the wine and bring the mixture to a boil. Slowly reduce the heat and cook for 1 hour on low to medium heat; or until the lentils are tender.
• Sprinkle the soup with parsley and Parmesan (optional) before serving.

SOUTHWESTERN BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, saute the onion in oil until tender. Stir in the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until heated through.

TRI-COLOUR SWEET PEPPER SOUP

Steps:

• NOTE: Directions are for the original Sweet Pepper Soup. Sometimes, however, I like to "mix things up". For my second version, I reduce the chicken broth to 4 cups, add 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes (I use Del Monte Petite Diced Tomatoes), 1-2 teaspoons of Dijon Mustard, and 1 cup of sour cream. It is a thicker, heartier soup that is equally enjoyable, just different.
• Melt one tablespoon of the butter over medium heat in a large Dutch Oven.
• Sweat the onions for 5 minutes until translucent and slightly yellow. I keep them covered during this process. If necessary, add additional tablespoon of butter so the onions do not burn.
• Add the three different coloured peppers, stirring well, to mix the soft onions and butter with the peppers. Set timer for 15 minutes; every 5 minutes, stir the peppers and onions and "taste test" the peppers to YOUR degree of doneness. We really enjoy a very soft pepper so it takes the full 15 minutes to achieve that texture.
• Add the six cups of chicken broth and the teaspoon of paprika and stir well, until combined. ( if using the can of diced tomatoes, use FOUR cups of chicken broth and the can of diced tomatoes).
• Bring the soup to a boil, reduce down to a simmer and cover. Every 5 minutes, gently stir the soup. Simmer for 30 minutes.
• If you choose to make this a richer soup, use an immersion stick blender to blend up the soup until it is coloured flecks of the peppers. Add the sour cream and Dijon mustard, stir well until heated. DO NOT BOIL!
• Serve immediately.