Low-fat, nutritious and bursting with flavor, this bean soup is loaded with garlic, white beans, onion, carrot and celery.

Garlic Bean Soup

2 cups chopped onion
1 cup sliced carrot
1/2 cup sliced celery
12 to 14 medium cloves garlic, peeled, crushed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
2 (15-ounce) cans Great Northern beans or garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
Salt and pepper, to taste
Finely chopped chives or parsley, optional

1. Sauté onion, carrot, celery, and garlic in oil in large saucepan 3 to 4 minutes. Add chicken broth and beans; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender, 5 to 8 minutes.
2. Process soup in food processor or blender until smooth. Serve in bowls; sprinkle with chives.

Makes 6 servings (about 1 cup each).

Tips: Frozen onion and prepared chopped garlic can be substituted; also, to save preparation time, chopped baby carrots may be used. Soup can be made 1 to 2 days in advance; refrigerate, covered.

Nutrient Information Per serving: Calories 255; Fat 5g; % Calories from Fat 18; Carbohydrate 39g; Folate 131mcg; Sodium 545mg; Protein 15g; Dietary Fiber 2g; Cholesterol 0mg

Recipe provided courtesy of The Bean Education & Awareness Network.