Ingredients

1-1/2 cup dried borlotti or cannellini beams
cold water
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
3 gloves garlic, minced
1/4 lb. pancetta, diced
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
(plus more for final garnish)
1/2 cup chopped canned plum tomatoes
6 leaves sage
3/4 cup Grano or Pearled Soft White Wheat (ND)

6 large leaves kale or cavolo nero or swiss chard, about 1/2 lb., rolled up like a cigar and cut into thinslivers (optional)

lots of freshly ground black pepper
salt to taste
grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
chopped flat leaf parsley, optional
chopped mint, optional

Directions

SOME VERSIONS of Grano Soup add thinly sliced kale or cavolo nero to this basic rich and filling soup. Others cook a piece of prosciutto along with the beans for a more meaty flavor and omit the pancetta as part of the soffritto.

Soak the beans in ample cold water to cover overnight. The next morning drain the beans and rinse well. Add fresh cold water to cover the beans by 3 inches. If using ham or prosciutto, add it to the beans. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer covered until tender but not soft, about 40 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon or more salt during the last 15 minutes of cooking. You should have about 3 cups cooked beans. Save cooked beans with their liquids. Set aside about 3/4 cup of beans and puree the rest with their cooking fluids in a food processor or blender until a course puree is formed. The meat can be chopped and added back to the soup or pureed with the beans.

Warm the olive oil in a soup pot and sauté the diced pancetta over medium heat. When the pancetta starts to give off some fat add the chopped vegetables and stir well. Sauté for about 8-10 minutes then add the garlic, tomatoes and sage and about 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Add the Grano and stir well.

Cover the pan and simmer covered until the Grano is cooked, about 35 minutes. Check from time to time and if the mixture seems dry, add boiling water as needed. Add the bean puree and the beans. Stir well and simmer 30 minutes longer. If you like, add the thinly sliced kale when you return the beans to the pot. Stir from time to time to prevent scorching, adding water as needed. Adjust seasoning and serve soup drizzled with additional extra virgin olive oil, grated cheese and if you like some parsley or a mixture or chopped parsley and mint.