White Bean and Beef Soup with Tomatoes and Onions

White beans braised in savory sauce are enjoyed all year long in many Sephardic households.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)

Ingredients

• 1  (16-ounce) package dried navy beans
• 1  teaspoon  kosher salt, divided
• 1/2  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4  pound  sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
• Cooking spray
• 1 1/2  cups  chopped Rio or other sweet onion
• 4 1/2  cups  Beef Stock
• 2  cups  water
• 3  bay leaves
• 2  (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce

Preparation

Sort and wash beans; place in a large Dutch oven. Cover with water to 2 inches above beans; cover and let stand 8 hours. Drain beans.

Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper evenly over beef. Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add beef; sauté 7 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove beef from pan.

Add onion to pan; sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Return beef to pan. Add Beef Stock, 2 cups water, and bay leaves, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add beans; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add tomato sauce and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt to pan. Cook, uncovered, 45 minutes or until beans are tender, pressing some of the beans against side of pan with wooden spoon to thicken liquid. Discard bay leaves.

Note: Nutritional analysis includes Beef Stock.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

282 (9% from fat)

Fat:

2.8g (sat 0.8g,mono 0.9g,poly 0.7g)

Protein:

23.5g

Carbohydrate:

42g

Fiber:

15.2g

Cholesterol:

19mg

Iron:

4.5mg

Sodium:

602mg

Calcium:

113mg