White Bean Soup with Bacon and Spiced Brown Butter

Step 1

Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until crispy and all the fat is rendered. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel to drain any excess grease. Add the onions and garlic to the pot and stir. Stir in the basil, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook until the onions begin to caramelize, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 2

Stir in the beans and stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, carefully transfer the mixture to a blender. Blend until pureed completely, then pour back in the pot. Season with the salt and taste again – you may need to season more, but remember you are topping it with bacon! Stir in the half and half right before serving.

Step 3

Serve topped with the bacon crumbles and drizzles of spiced brown butter.

Step 4

Heat the butter over medium heat in a saucepan, whisking constantly. Cook until it bubbles and the brown bits appear on the bottom (about 4 to 5 minutes) then quickly stir in the curry and cardamom and remove it from the heat. Whisk for another 10 seconds. Drizzle and drop the butter on the soup before serving.