Three-Bean Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound (1 heaped cup) white beans, like navy beans or cannellini, washed, picked over and soaked overnight or for 6 hours
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, cut in half, half finely chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, 2 peeled, 4 minced
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• A bouquet garni made with a few sprigs each parsley and mint, and, if desired, a Parmesan rind
• 1/2 pound green beans, ends trimmed
• 1 pound fava beans, shelled and skinned
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• Freshly grated Parmesan for garnish