Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried white navy beans
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 medium leeks, white and tender green parts, washed well and chopped
• 5 stalks celery, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 3 carrots, scrubbed and diced
• 5 cups good-quality vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried
• Salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1/3 cup grated Parmagiano-Reggiano or Asiago cheese (optional)