Tomato-White Bean Soup with Pesto

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 4 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, quartered
• 1/2 cup dry white wine or water
• 1 quart low-sodium vegetable stock
• 2 cups canned cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 2 packed cups fresh basil
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. 01In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until golden, 3 to 5 minutes.
2. 02Add celery, carrots and garlic; cook, stirring, until vegetables soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add wine; stir to scrape brown bits off bottom of pot.
3. 03Add stock, beans, tomatoes, bay leaves and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring soup to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until carrots are very soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
4. 04In a blender, puree basil, walnuts, black pepper, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup water. Transfer pesto to a bowl; wash blender.
5. 05Remove bay leaves from soup; discard. In blender, carefully puree half of soup; transfer to a bowl; repeat with remaining half of soup.
6. 06Divide soup among 4 bowls, dollop each with 1/4 pesto, and swirl in; serve.