White Bean and Ham Soup

The soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
The croutons can be stored in an
airtight container for up to 3 days.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 large white onion, coarsely chopped
1 carrot, coarsely shredded
1 garlic clove, peeled and smashed
3 thyme sprigs
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
4 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
Three 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained
1 pound smoked ham in 1 piece
1 1/2 cups cubed (1-inch) baguette
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
Salt to taste
Freshly ground pepper
1 scallion, thinly sliced crosswise

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large soup pot, melt the butter.
Add the onion, carrot, garlic, thyme
and coriander and cook the vegetables
over moderately high heat, stirring,
until softened, about 3 minutes.
Add the stock, beans and ham and bring to a boil.
Cover partially and cook over moderate heat for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, toss the baguette cubes with the
olive oil and paprika and season with salt.
Spread on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes,
stirring occasionally, until toasted.
3.Remove the ham from the soup
and cut it into 1/2-inch pieces.
Discard the thyme sprigs. Working in 2 batches,
transfer the soup to a blender
or food processor and puree until smooth.
Return the soup to the pot and stir in the diced ham.
Season the soup with salt and pepper
and ladle into warmed shallow bowls.
Top with the croutons and scallion and serve.