Tuscan bean soup with thyme and corn scones

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2tablespoonsOlive Oil
1Onion; (peeled and roughly
; chopped)
3Cloves Garlic; (peeled and roughly
; chopped)
4Rashers Bacon
4Sprigs Thyme
1Bay Leaf
2400 g cans or 400g dried; (soaked and cooked)
; Cannelloni Beans
1litreFresh Chicken Stock
1Lemon; (juice)
Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper
175gramsSelf Raising Flour
100gramsCornmeal / Polenta
1tablespoonBaking Powder
1pinchSalt
50gramsButter
125millilitresButtermilk; (add extra if
; needed))
13largesEggs; (beaten)
2tablespoonsFreshly Chopped Thyme
1Egg Yolk; (beaten)
25gramsParmesan Cheese
Black Peppercorns
Parmesan Shavings
1Sprigs Thyme

Directions

THYME & CORN SCONES

1. Heat the oil in a thick based saucepan. Add the bacon and fry for four minutes or until crispy, then add the onion, garlic, thyme and bay leaf.

Saut‚ for at least 20 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated and the onion has caramelised.

2. Add the cannelloni beans and chicken stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile make the scones. Preheat the oven to 230ºc / 450ºf / Gas Mark 7. Place the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt in the large bowl of an electric mixer. Add the butter and beat until it resembles coarse bread crumbs (or use your fingertips and rub in the butter until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs).

4. Whisk the butter milk, eggs and thyme in a bowl to blend. Season well, then add to the flour mixture to form a smooth dough. Transfer to well floured work surface and roll out to 12mm / ½ inch thick. Using a 2½ cm / 1 inch biscuit cutter cut out the scones. Transfer to greased baking sheets and brush with the egg yolk. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top and cook for about 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

5. Discard the thyme and bay leaf from the soup, using a liquidiser or hand blender, puree the soup, in batches, until smooth, return to the saucepan and heat through. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

6. Garnish the soup with cracked black peppercorns, shavings of parmesan and sprigs of thyme. Serve with the hot thyme and corn scones.

Converted by MC_Buster.

NOTES : Chef:Amanda Grant

Converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.