Ingredients
Sauté Base
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Soup Base
- 28 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 28 ounces cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 parmesan cheese rind, about 2 inches in size
- ½ cup dry quinoa, rinsed well
Toppings
- Shaved parmesan cheese, for topping
- Dijon croutons:
- 2 cups sourdough bread cubes
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
Instructions
- Prepare the sauté base: In a large pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 7-8 minutes. Add minced garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add tomatoes and stock: Stir in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes along with their juices and pour in the chicken or vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Add beans, quinoa, and cheese rind: Add the drained cannellini beans, rinsed quinoa, and parmesan rind to the pot. Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes or until quinoa is tender and the flavors meld.
- Prepare Dijon croutons: While the soup simmers, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, toss sourdough bread cubes with melted butter and Dijon mustard until evenly coated. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring halfway until golden and crisp.
- Finish and serve: Remove the parmesan rind from the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the soup into bowls, top with shaved parmesan cheese and a handful of Dijon croutons. Serve hot for a warming meal.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
- Rinsing quinoa removes bitterness and helps it cook better.
- Parmesan rind adds rich umami flavor; save rinds from cheese blocks to keep in freezer for soup making.
- Dijon croutons add texture and a tangy kick; can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container.
- This soup freezes well without croutons; add fresh croutons when serving after reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free