Easy Vegetarian White Bean Soup -

Ingredients

• 1 cup (200 g) navy or other white beans
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 (150 g) small onion, finely chopped
• 2 (125 g) carrots, sliced or finely chopped
• 2 (200 g) small tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1-2 (5 g) cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 4 cups (960 ml) water
• Red pepper flakes to taste (optional)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 ml) kosher salt or to taste
• Fresh ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup (20 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)