Leek & butter bean soup with crispy kale & bacon

 Butter beans give this dairy-free, healthy soup a creamy texture and the starchy liquid from the can helps to thicken it into a comforting supper.

Ingredients

    4 tsp olive oil

    500g leeks, sliced

    4 thyme sprigs, leaves picked

    2 x 400g cans butter beans

    500ml vegetable bouillon stock

    2 tsp wholegrain mustard

    ½ small pack flat-leaf parsley

    3 rashers streaky bacon

    40g chopped kale, any tough stems removed

    25g hazelnuts, roughly chopped

Method

    STEP 1

    Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large saucepan over a low heat. Add the leeks, thyme and seasoning. Cover and cook for 15 mins until softened, adding a splash of water if the leeks start to stick. Add the butter beans with the water from the cans, the stock and mustard. Bring to the boil and simmer for 3-4 mins until hot. Blend the soup in a food processor or with a stick blender, stir through the parsley and check the seasoning.

    STEP 2

    Put the bacon in a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Cook for 3-4 mins until crispy, then set side to cool. Add the remaining 1 tsp oil to the pan, and tip in the kale and hazelnuts. Cook for 2 mins, stirring until the kale is wilted and crisping at the edges and the hazelnuts are toasted. Cut the bacon into small pieces, then stir into the kale mixture.

    STEP 3

    Reheat the soup, adding a splash of water if it is too thick. Serve in bowls sprinkled with the bacon & kale mixture.

By Katy Gilhooly