Collard White Bean Potato Soup - Oryana

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, sliced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 large yellow or red potato, cubed
• 4 cups coarsely chopped collard greens
• 1 quart vegetable or chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 15 oz. can cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
• salt & pepper, to taste
• Optional: fresh grated Parmesan cheese