Our friend, Romaine Hart–a wise counsellor–was adamant last night that we were not getting enough PROTEIN!
Our tales of how long it’s taking to shake off the virus that has been a companion (on and off) for nearly three weeks was all the proof she needed.
So we agreed that a couple of lamb chops for lunch today would be a step in the right direction.
Vegetable soups–all very well, but they need backing-up!
We are eating meat less frequently now.
This is reflected in the meat section of my new book, Healthy Eating for Life (to be published January 8th–my birthday!).
I awake this morning intending to visit Lautrec’s Friday market, pick up some lamb chops from the local butcher and see what’s up.
It’s a chilly, grey November day and I light the fire.
My determination wavers and I start to think, “Maybe chops tomorrow–how about a heartwarming vegetable soup?”.
Then I remember this soup from my first book–and rationalize: White beans are a good protein source!
I picture it steaming in a bowl with a swirl of the new, green olive oil and thoughts of driving to Lautrec disappear in the mist!
for 4
1 clove of garlic – peeled and chopped
8 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp parsley – chopped
1 kg/36 oz canned or–preferably–bottled white beans – drained and rinsed
salt and pepper
250 ml/1⁄2 pint/1 cup vegetable stock
toasted wholewheat bread with a little olive oil
for 4
Sauté the garlic in the oil gently until it colours.
Add the parsley and stir a couple of times.
Mix in the beans, salt and pepper.
Cover and cook gently for about 5 minutes to warm through.
Purée a quarter of the beans in a mixer and return with the stock to the pan.
Simmer for another 5 minutes.
Check the seasoning.
Serve over the toast with a swirl of olive oil in each bowl.
Optional: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top before serving.
Robin Ellis 
Looks delicious and perfect for the cold and rainy day we are having here in NYC. Am also trying to cut back on meat. Thanks.
It went down smoothly, Mary!
Oh, yummy yummy. Hope you are back in the pink soon!
Dear Robin, I am vegetarian and this recipe sounds perfect to me! I will try it and let you know. Thank you!
Please, Chiara–let me know how it goes.
How was the olive harvest this year at Padere Bogglioli? Wish I could find their olive oil here in San Francisco area.
It is raining here in Las Vegas, NV and this sounds so comforting. Robin, we hope you are doing well. Thank you so much for all the wonderful dishes we have been delighting in since joining. Ellen
Ellen–this soup you are right is comfort soup par excellence!
Mmmm looks delicious I’ll add some onions as well as I’m trying to rid myself of a lingering virus also.
This is our FAVORITE recipe, Robin–have made it many times since your book came out. Once and awhile even had some extra onions, or a bit of cabbage to throw in…but there’s just no messing with your original! It’s AWESOME! 🙂
Cheers & hugs from an equally gray, dismal day in New Hampshire
Thanks Dianne–went down a treat here too this lunchtime!
Almost don’t miss the chops 🙂
Robin, this looks just divine. Perfect for this weekend
Thank you so much
This looks wonderful! You don’t have to eat meat to be healthy.
Dear Robin, thank you once again. This not only looks yummy. Without a doubt it tastes so as well… All’s fine and dandy but when I’m facing a chop on my plate in my mind’s eye I see the actual lamb and not a morsel goes down.
That’s the problem–Odette!
You should check with your Doctor and test that your nutrient intake is enough as you have an autoimmune disease, also have your iron levels tested. I have leek and potato soup ready for lunch today, which is bitterly cold and dry. Had bacon, tomato, mushrooms and poached egg for breakfast. Will try this soup next week have enough soups at the moment to feed a regiment! Take care and look after yourself.
Thanks Nora–good advice! Bon appetit!
white beans or cannellini true?
Any white beans, Annalisa.
Got cannellini and broad beans in my local supermarket today will make the soup on Monday, met Santa in his civvies doing his shopping! Didn’t fool one little girl who got so excited she ran up to chat to him, he was charm itself which is reassuring, he drove into town today in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Will let you have the verdict on the soup next week. Have your book on my suggestions for presents Christmas list.
This soup will set you both on the right road to recovery,hope you both feel better soon.Meredith Robin just had to make mention that my son James took me to see War Horse at the Lowry Theatre at Salford Keys last night,it was wonderful,it’s there until January from the Nation Theatre.It’s Micheal Morpurgo’s book about a horse that goes to the first world war,and the young man who owns him.If you haven’t seen it do try too,but make sure you take handkies
Those puppeteers deserve the highest awards for their work.
We have never seen this now celebrated piece Elaine–glad you enjoyed it and happy to hear the National is touring.
Non-vegetarians are always inventing ruses to get others to eat meat. The protein issue is their usual standby. However, we now know that animal protein is one of the main causes of disease in the west, whereas you can eat as much vegetable protein as you like. The answer is that there are a fair number of animal eaters who get sick too! – viruses certainly aren’t exclusive to vegetable eaters!!
They did this mercilessly to Steve Jobs; his family and friends eventually forcing him to go back on his moral and health beliefs and eat meat which some believe actually hastened his end. The cancer began many years previously when, as a brilliant student, he experimented with several dangerous chemicals. Some believe that he lasted so long because of his vegetable diet.
There was an article in the UK press two weeks ago on Type 2 diabetes. Some medics in the UK are now recommending sufferers to become vegetarian as it dramatically lowers the Pral value (a measure of acidity in the body). I thought about you and wondered if you had read it.
Thanks for this, Sheila. I didn’t see the article.
Will definitely try this myself and pass the recipe on to my vegetarian sister. Thank you. I hope you are both fully recovered again soon. Such a shame with the worst of the winter ahead of us.
Have just had the “White bean soup” very filling I added some ginger, will put cabbage through it and some spices for later. Very quick to make and straight forward and satisfying. YUM 🙂
I made this soup twice this week. The first time I made it I thought two things: 1. Damn, this was easy. 2. I need more! We had people over who basically agreed. Thanks, Robin!
Hello Robin & Meredith!
A bit of a late post on this receipe! Hope you are both now recovered from the dreaded lingering lurgy!
This is a great dish, and I prepared it last night, with a slight variation in that I used rosemary-infused olive oil – it was very good! The white bean element reminds me of a dish served at The Hole in the Wall, in Bath, where lamb chops (!) were accompanied by a white/butter bean garllic-infused puree – so next time you fancy the soup, perhaps make the trip to the butcher, and try the puree with it! I have made it again using rosemary-infused oil. Delicious!
Greetings from what was a very foggy West End morning which has now bloomed into a wonderfully sunny, crisp day! Perfect.
Best wishes
Kim Hammill – Bath and London
Thanks Kim–we drove through light fog that cleared when we arrived at the airport–fortunately! White bean purée is delicious and a good substitute for mash potatoes for diabetics.