Ingredients

  • 8 ounces dried cannellini beans, soaked overnight in cold water
  • 8 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 4 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses

Directions

  1. Drain the beans and place in a 5-quart Dutch oven with 6 cups water, smashed garlic cloves, thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until the beans are tender, about 1 hour. Drain the beans, reserving both the cooking liquid (about 2 cups) and the beans. Discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaves.
  2. Heat the oil in the Dutch oven over medium. Add the onions, garlic, carrots, celery and chopped thyme; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, 10 minutes. Stir in the reserved beans and 2 cups cooking liquid and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to medium and simmer until the vegetables are tender, 20-22 minutes. Remove the soup from the heat and cool 10 minutes. Transfer in batches to a blender and puree. Return soup to the Dutch oven and season with salt and pepper. Divide among serving bowls and drizzle each with 1 1/2 teaspoons pomegranate molasses.