Step 1

First soak or quick soak your dried beans ~ to quick soak, rinse your beans and add them to a pot. Add cold water to cover the beans with several inches of water and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let sit for an hour. For regular soaking method, let your beans soak in cold water over night. Whichever method you choose, drain the soaked beans and return them to the pot.

Step 2

Add the chicken stock and aromatics (garlic through Parm rind.) Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 40 minutes, or just until the beans are tender.

Step 3

While the beans are cooking fry the bread ~ liberally coat the bottom of a saute pan with olive oil and fry the bread on both sides until golden. Rub the tops of the bread with the cut sides of the garlic, and season with sea salt. Set aside.

Step 4

Remove the aromatics from the bean pan. Ladle some of the hot broth into the beaten egg to temper it, while whisking constantly. After adding 2 or 3 ladles of the hot broth, pour the whole thing back into the beans and stir to combine. Add the fresh herbs.

Step 5

Put a slice or two of bread in the bottom of your bowl and top with the beans and broth. Add grated Parm if you like.