Black Bean Soup with Whole Wheat Croutons - Christina Cooks

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 small leek, sliced lengthwise, rinsed well and diced
• Pinch sea salt
• 2 teaspoons saffron, soaked in small amount warm water
• Generous pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 cup black turtle beans, rinsed well
• 1 bay leaf
• 5 cups spring or filtered water
• 3-4 springs flatleaf parsley, for garnish
• 1 cup whole grain sourdough croutons (see below)