FAVA BEAN AND SPRING VEGETABLE SOUP

Fava Bean and Spring Vegetable Soup image

Yield Makes 6 first-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

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1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large leeks (white and pale green parts only), thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
1/2 cup chopped peeled carrot
4 1/2 cups canned low-salt chicken broth or vegetable broth
2 cups shelled fresh fava beans (from about 2 pounds unshelled) or one 10-ounce package frozen baby lima beans, thawed
5 ounces green beans, trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
8 ounces asparagus, tough ends trimmed, spears cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
2/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Steps:

Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks and carrot; sauté until vegetables are tender but not brown, about 8 minutes. Add broth and bring to boil. Add favas and green beans and simmer until almost tender, about 8 minutes. Add asparagus and 1/3 cup basil and simmer until all vegetables are very tender, about 7 minutes longer. Season soup with salt and pepper. Stir in 1/3 cup basil. Ladle soup into bowls. Serve, passing Parmesan separately, if desired.