A delicately seasoned Greek soup with white beans and a range of vegetables including spinach, carrots, onion, celery and potato. This soup can be served as an appetizer, or enjoyed as a light meal with crusty bread for dipping.

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 onion—diced

1 carrot—diced

1 stick celery—diced

1 clove garlic—finely chopped

1 potato—peeled and diced

6 cups vegetable stock

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

14 oz (420g) canned white beans (like cannellini)— rinsed and drained

8 oz (240g) pack frozen spinach—defrosted and drained

½ cup green peas

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

HEAT 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large saucepan and cook the onion, carrot and celery for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. ADD the garlic and potato and cook for a minute. ADD the stock and parsley, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes. ADD the white beans, spinach, peas, salt and pepper, return to a simmer, and cook for a further 5 minutes. REMOVE from the heat and stir through the remaining tablespoon of oil.

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