February 2, 2023 | POSTED IN

Spanish White Bean and Roasted Pepper Soup

bowl of white bean and red pepper soup with thyme garnish on a table

Last summer, while looking for an alternative to our classic tomato gazpacho, I found this recipe for a chilled bean soup on the YouTube channel ‘Spain on a Fork.’ The soup can be served chilled, room temperature, or heated depending on your mood.

The recipe is so delicious and simple that I urge you to try it without making any changes. Then, feel free to alter it to fit your tastes – perhaps a little cayenne pepper to spice it up a bit?

Ingredients

  • 1 can white beans (15 oz)*
  • Jarred roasted red bell peppers to taste – or roast your own!
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 Tbs olive oil
  • ½ Tbs sherry or white vinegar
  • 1 Cup vegetable broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Place all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until it reaches your desired smoothness. Transfer to bowls and sprinkle with thyme or chives.

*The recipe is always better with homemade beans. For this recipe, a heaping half cup of dried white beans is all you need to bring the soup to a higher level. The night before, cover the dried beans with about an inch of water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of baking soda and let soak overnight (trust me on this – the baking soda breaks down the pectin and helps soften the beans).

Transfer the beans and soaking brine into a saucepan. Add additional water to cover and simmer until the beans are soft. Let cool, then rinse and drain the beans. Add them to the blender with the other ingredients.