½lb.small red potatoesquartered (or bite size pieces if potatoes are bigger)
1cupfrozen green peas
5-6spears asparagussliced into 1 inch pieces)
1can15 oz. cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2cupsfresh baby spinach
1teaspoonfresh thyme
¼cuptorn fresh basil
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Drizzle baguette slices with olive oil (or spray with cooking spray) add salt and pepper to taste. Lightly sprinkle with Parmesan cheese (reserve any unused cheese to top soup). Place on baking tray and cook until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted (about 10 min.) . Remove from oven and set aside.
Heat a large saucepan or Dutch oven oven medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and swirl to coat. Add carrots, leek, and celery; cook for 5 min. stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook an additional 1 minute. Add stock and bring to a simmer. Add potatoes and continue to simmer until potatoes start to soften (about 8- 10 min).
Add peas, asparagus and cannellini beans. Simmer until asparagus is crisp tender (about 3-4 min). Add spinach, thyme, and basil and cook until spinach begins to wilt (about 1 min). Serve immediately and sprinkle with any remaining Parmesan cheese. Top with a Parmesan crouton and additional fresh thyme. Salt and pepper to taste. cheese, sprinkle on top of soup.