Join the Cooking School

Pancetta White Bean Soup

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Upgradeflash

Text Recipe
Related Videos
Comments

Step 1: Making the Crostini

Making the Crostini

To start the crostini, preheat the oven to 375° degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the baguette into 1/2" -inch slices and place the pieces onto a parchment-lined baking tray. Brush lightly with olive oil. Bake, oil side up, for 8 to 10 minutes or until slightly golden.

While the bread is cooking, peel the garlic and set aside. Once the bread is ready, lightly rub the oiled side with the raw garlic and while the bread is still warm, sprinkle with a little grey salt.

  • 1 whole French baguette
  • 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/2 tsp grey salt

Step 2: Making the Soup

Making the Soup

To start the soup, first émincé the garlic. Slice the pancetta into small strips. Dice the tomatoes and reserve the juice.

Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the oil and sauté the pancetta for a few minutes. Add the garlic and cook until it just starts to turn golden, about 30 seconds to a minute. Add the tomatoes, tomato juice and chicken stock. Then add the rosemary, parmesan rind, salt and pepper and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the beans and bring just back to a simmer to heat the beans through.

Just before serving the soup, check and adjust the seasoning. Shred the lettuce. Place a small handful of lettuce in the bottom of a bowl and ladle the soup over top. Serve immediately with the garlic crostini.

  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 6 slices pancetta (or prosciutto, bacon or ham)
  • 2 - 28 oz cans whole tomatoes
  • 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1 parmesan rind (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt (depends on saltiness of pancetta)
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 - 19 oz cans cannellini or white beans
  • 1/2 head iceberg lettuce (optional)

Notes

Save those leftover parmesan rinds! Store them in a freezer bag and toss them into soups for added flavor.

Related Tips & Techniques

Dd_how_to_buy_garlic_thumbnail

How to Buy and Prepare Garlic

 Dd_chicken_stock_alt_thumbnail

Chicken Stock Options

 Dd_what_is_emince_poster_thumbnail

What is Emince?

 Dd_pancetta_whatis_thumbnail

What is Pancetta?

 Dd_salt_thumbnail

Learn About Gourmet Salt
Cs_soupsl2_t3_thumbnail

Making Stock-Based Clear Soups

 Cs_beans_t4_thumbnail

Methods for Soaking Dried Beans

 Cs_beans_t5_thumbnail

Cooking Dried Beans

 Cs_moistheat_l1_t5_thumbnail

What is Simmering?

Cs_knives_l3_t08_thumbnail

Slicing Large-Shaped Ingredients

Related Cooking School Lessons

Cs_stockbasedsoups_l2_t1_onecolumn

How to Make Stock-Based Clear Soup

 Cs_beans2_onecolumn

How to Cook Dried Legumes

 Cs_moistheat_l1_onecolumn

Submersion Cooking Methods
Cs_stocks_onecolumn

How to Make Stock | Fundamentals

 Cs_herbs_t1_onecolumn

How to Use and Cook with Herbs

 Cs_knives_l3_onecolumn

How to Cut Using a Chef's Knife

Gerred P

Did you make this recipe?

Yes I did.
Lovely.
The lettuce is an inspiration.
Could do with a few chilli flakes in there somewhere.

Ingrid Z

Pancetta White Bean Soup

I made the soup tonight and my family said it was the best soup I have made,
I used spiced Pancetta which really gave it more flavour, did not use the lettuce, although i noticed the previous writer said the lettuce was an inspiration, so may try the lettuce next time. I also used veg stock instead of Chicken, it truly was delcious.

Dee F

Ya Baby

This was very simple and healthy...thanks.

Judi G

Perfect light lunch

We just finished off a couple of bowls of this soup and it was excellent. Even though I had forgot to brown the pancetta in the oil (I am still working on ALWAYS doing the mis en place!) it was still delicious. And I was able to throw in some of the rind from my Parmesan as well. This is a great, quick recipe for a healthy, light, simple meal. mmmmmmm.

Ekaterina F

where you buy these canned San Marzano...

Where do you buy these canned San Marzano tomatoes then? :-)

(I live in Indiana and am quite good at shopping online too, but I cann't find a can which will look like the one in your video :-)

Thank you.

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Where to Buy San Marzano Tomatoes

Check with any local Italian deli. Also try phoning around to any grocer that sells good quality ingredients. If they don't sell them perhaps they maybe be able to point you in the right direction.

San Marzano tomatoes are becoming more and more available, I guess because they are more in demand.

I know you can also order them on line. But don't get too carried away if they are super expensive. Here is a Drill-down about "Buying Quality Canned Tomatoes" that might give you some more info about buying other quality tomatoes that may be available in your local grocery store. http://rouxbe.com/drilldowns/340

Good Luck!

Claudia A

slightly modified pancetta white bean soup

No lettuce on hand, but some nice Swiss chard needing to be used. Chopped the chard (without the stems) and added to the soup before the beans and simmered until tender, then added the beans. Excellent! Would make this simple soups again.

You must be a Rouxbe student to ask questions and comment. If you are already a Rouxbe student, please login. Note: Individual lessons purchased a-la-carte do not include this service.