"Super-Tuscan" White Bean Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried cannellini beans
• 2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
• 1 yellow onion, quartered lengthwise
• 1 celery stalk, quartered crosswise
• 1 carrot, quartered crosswise
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly crushed
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 quart chicken stock
• Finely ground sea salt, preferably gray salt
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, optional
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves