Three bean spring minestrone

beans fibre healthy low calorie minestrone protein soup spring spring recipes

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil , plus extra for drizzling

1 banana shallot , chopped

1 fennel bulb , thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves , chopped

400g can cannellini beans

400g can borlotti beans

700ml vegetable stock

100g green beans , chopped

rind of a vegetarian hard cheese , plus 30g, grated

150g frozen peas

1 lemon , zested

handful basil leaves , torn to serve

Method

Put the oil in a saucepan over a medium heat, add the shallot, fennel, garlic and a pinch of salt and cook until softened. Drain the beans, reserving the starchy water from half of one can. Tip these into the pan along with the stock, green beans and cheese rind. Cook for 15 mins until the green beans are completely softened.

Stir in the peas, cook for a couple of mins more, then stir in the lemon zest and grated cheese.