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White bean soup with garlic is a classic comfort dish in the Mediterranean region.
Usually, it’s loaded with heavy cream, which also loads up the fat and calories. My version uses no cream at all, getting its body from adding extra garlic plus a lone starchy potato, and then blending most of the soup itself up into a luscious creamy consistency.
What I love about this soup is that it takes under a half hour to make from start to finish, and I usually have the needed ingredients on hand.
With white beans being so full of protein and fiber — 1 cup of beans has about 20 grams of protein and over 12 grams of fiber yet almost no fat — this meatless soup is filling without making you feel stuffed.
Serve it with a green salad with a tart Dijon and lemon vinaigrette for a typical Sunday supper that my husband grew up eating in Provence. Or, serve a half portion as a first course, and you’ll eat less at your main meal, which means you can stretch your meat budget in a sneaky and healthy way.
Or simply make this soup because it’s super easy and comforting — easing us from cold weather to warmer weather perfectly. A final note: don’t let the garlic quantities intimidate you. Boiling the garlic tames the flavor and you’ll be left with a mellow, slightly sweet complement to the creamy beans.
CREAMLESS WHITE BEAN AND GARLIC SOUP
Start to finish:
30 minutes
2 tsp. olive oil
1 small chopped onion, about 1 cup
1 stalk celery, chopped, about 1/3 cup
1 medium carrot, chopped, about 1/3 cup
½ tsp. smoked (or sweet) paprika
20 medium cloves garlic, peeled
¼ cup dry white wine
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 medium russet potato, peeled and cut into quarters
2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed
1 large sprig fresh rosemary
1 large sprig fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. kosher salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
Heat oil in a large sauce pan and sweat onion, celery and carrot over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes.
Add smoked paprika, garlic, salt and pepper, and cook until fragrant, another 2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with wine and stock. Bring to a simmer.
Add potato, beans, herbs, bay leaf and 2 cups of water. Bring soup to a boil and let simmer, partially covered with a lid, over medium low heat until potato and garlic are very tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool a few minutes. Spoon out the herb stems and bay leaf, and discard.
Scoop out about a cup of beans and set aside. Use an immersion blender to blend the rest of the soup until creamy. Or, blend in a traditional blender, being very careful not to get burned — blend in batches and remove the lid center, cover with a dishrag, to allow steam to escape.
Add reserved beans back to the blended soup, adjust for seasoning, and serve.
Servings: 6
(Cook’s Note: Traditionally, the herbs are tied up with kitchen string or placed in a cheesecloth pouch, called a “bouquet garni.” But fishing out the stems and allowing a few errant leaves to be blended up in the soup works quite fine for a quick weeknight soup.)
Nutrition information per serving: 181 calories; 14 calories from fat; 2 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 586 mg sodium; 32 g carbohydrate; 11 g fiber; 3 g sugar; 10 g protein.

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Wednesday, April 5
6:13 a.m. Ninth Street; Reckless driver.
7:27 a.m. 600 block of Kentucky Street; Disturbance.
7:44 a.m. 500 block of Fifth Street; Patrol request.
9:37 a.m. 1400 block of North Third Street; Animal complaint.
9:38 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
9:55 a.m. 100 block of Third Street; Disturbance.
11:11 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Assistance.
1:58 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Search warrant.
2:17 p.m. 400 block of Garber Street; Simple battery/arrest.
2:26 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Civil matter.
2:38 p.m. 7000 block of Railroad Avenue; Welfare check.
2:44 p.m. Morgan City; Phone harassment.
3:56 p.m. Seventh and Duke streets; Animal complaint.
4:01 p.m. Ditch Avenue; Reckless driver.
4:34 p.m. 500 block of Eighth Street; Juvenile complaint.
4:49 p.m. Sixth and Marguerite streets; Crash.
6:10 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Traffic incident.
6:28 p.m. U.S. 90 West between Martin Luther King Boulevard and Brashear Avenue exit; Stalled vehicle.
6:34 p.m. 1800 block of Filmore Street; Com-plaint.
6:43 p.m. 200 block of South Railroad Avenue; Medical emergency.
6:58 p.m. Federal Avenue; Reckless driver.
7:03 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Medical emergency.
8:14 p.m. Hickory Street; Lost/found bicycle.
8:16 p.m. Teche Road in Bayou Vista; Assistance.
8:27 p.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Complaint.
8:58 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Spot check.
9:29 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Complaint.
9:29 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Spot check.
10:07 p.m. 1600 block of Front Street; Spot check.
11:30 p.m. 1500 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
Thursday, April 6
1:31 a.m. 200 block of Belanger Street; Suspicious activity.
2:37 a.m. Railroad Avenue and Roderick Street; Sign/signal problem.

A St. Mary Parish correctional officer has been charged with malfeasance in office for allegedly smuggling contraband in the parish jail, Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Nathan L. Jones, 26, of Weber Street in Franklin, was arrested at 4:55 p.m. Wednesday for entering contraband into a penal institution and malfeasance in office.
Detectives of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section conducted an investigation after receiving information that a correctional officer was suspected of bringing contraband into the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
During their inquiry, detectives collected evidence that Jones, a correctional officer, smuggled contraband into the facility. Jones was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking and transported to another facility for housing. The No bail is set.
The investigation is ongoing and the office isn’t releasing details yet on what contraband Jones allegedly smuggled into jail, said Detective Lt. Traci Landry, sheriff’s office spokeswoman.
Hebert reported responding to 42 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Shawn Scully, 42, of La. 70 North in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:18 p.m. Wednesday for the following offenses on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of Adderall with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of general speed law and driving with a suspended license.
—Michelle Lanclos, 30, of La. 70 North in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:18 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of Tramadol, possession of Adderall and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Detectives of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics section conducted a search warrant at the above listed address. Detectives located marijuana, digital scales, rolling papers, glass pipes, crushed Tramadol pills, and Adderall pills of varying milligrams. Through investigation, detectives found evidence that Scully sold the Adderall pills. Scully was also wanted on a warrant. Scully and Lanclos were jailed with no bail set.
—Trey Presley, 35, of La. 70 in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:17 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Christy Stewart, 40, of La. 70 in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:17 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Detectives investigating suspected illegal narcotics activity at the home spoke with Presley and Stewart and learned that they smoked marijuana. Detectives located marijuana and items of drug paraphernalia. Presley and Stewart were released on summonses to appear in court July 10.
—Cora Bogan, 67, of James Street in Siracusa, was arrested at 12:18 p.m. Wednesday on a 2005 warrant for failure to appear on the charge of failure to use child restraint and direct contempt.
A deputy came into contact with Bogan at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in Morgan City and located the active warrant for her arrest. Bogan was booked into parish jail and released on $268.50 bail.
—Kayla Hurry, 22, of Noe Street in Pierre Part, was arrested at 12:44 p.m. Wednesday on a Baldwin Police Department warrant for failure to appear on the charges of careless operation of a vehicle and driving without a license.
A deputy arrested Hurry at the Morgan City Police Department and transported her to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Hurry was later transferred to the Baldwin Police Department.
—Lacey Yates, 33, of Pecan Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 1:19 a.m. Thursday on a warrant charging her with cruelty to juveniles and two counts simple battery.
—Austin Williams, 17, of Pecan Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 1:53 a.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of marijuana and on a St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant charging him with aggravated battery.
A deputy observed a vehicle traveling on U.S. 90 with no rear lights and conducted a traffic stop on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Morgan City. The deputy made contact with the driver and passenger, identified as Yates and Williams, and located active warrants for both subjects.
While speaking with them, the deputy also smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and subsequently found a marijuana cigarette in an ashtray. The warrant for Yates was issued following an investigation into a reported battery at a home in Patterson.
The deputy collected evidence that Yates struck two juveniles during an argument. Yates and Williams were jailed with no bail set.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:
—Brionne Bogen, 21, of James Street in Morgan City, arrested at 10:05 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear to a pay citation for red light violation. Bogen was located and arrested at the police department on a city court warrant. Bogen was jailed.
—Courtney Smith, 28, of Levee Road in Morgan City, arrested at 2:59 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of simple battery.
Patrol officers responded to an alleged battery in the area of Apple Street. Officers arrived, and Smith was identified as a suspect in a battery that was committed on a juvenile. Smith allegedly admitted to committing the battery and was jailed.
—Shawn Lee, 47, of La. 182 in Morgan City, arrested at 3:04 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging him with simple burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Morgan City Police Department Criminal Investigations Division executed a search warrant at a local La. 182 business. The search warrant was in regard to an investigation in which investigators were looking for stolen property from an alleged burglary.
During the investigation, an arrest warrant was prepared for Lee on a charge of simple burglary. Lee was located on the property. He was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and was jailed.
—Mary A. Landry, 39, of Main Street in Patterson, arrested at 3:10 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging her with simple burglary.
Landry was located and arrested at the Morgan City jail on a warrant. The warrant stems from an investigation in which Landry was identified as a suspect in an alleged burglary. Investigators found evidence linking Landry to the burglary. An arrest warrant was prepared at which time Landry was booked into jail.
—Gage Ford, 25, of Maryland Street in Morgan City, arrested at 4:01 p.m. Wednesday on charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, no inspection and proper equipment required.
Patrol officers responded to the area of Ditch Avenue in regard to a motorcycle driving reckless. Officer arrived to the area and Ford was identified as the suspect. Officers located Ford in the area a short time later and found evidence linking him to the allegations.
The motorcycle was not property equipped with turn signals or mirrors as required by Louisiana law. It was also determined that Ford did not have a valid inspection sticker either. Ford was jailed.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:
—Jarvis Melton, 31, of Garber Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:33 p.m. Wednesday on charges of open alcoholic beverage container and littering. Bail is set at $602.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrest:
—Alicia Bertrand, 32, of Cremo Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 2:44 p.m. Wednesday on a Patterson warrant for failure to appear on a charge of remaining where forbidden and two Franklin police warrants charging her with theft of goods and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Bail is set at $862.

Madilyn Dominque tossed a 4-hitter, leading the Westgate Lady Tigers to a 10-0 win over the Hanson Memorial Lady Tigers Wednesday at the Hanson Memorial Girls Softball Complex.
Westgate collected 10 runs on 13 hits with one error. Hanson Memorial collected no runs on four hits with three errors.
Leading hitters for the Hanson Memorial Lady Tigers were: Allyssa Young, 2 for 3, 2 singles; Baylee Young, 1 for 3, single and Camille Baker, 1 for 2, single.
Hanson pitcher Ashlee Meyerholtz took the loss after working three innings, allowing four runs (2 earned) on eight hits with one strikeout and one walk. Baylee Young worked three innings, giving up six runs on five hits with three strikeouts and three walks.
Hanson Memorial (11-9, 10-2) will play host to Highland Baptist today at 5:30 for Senior Night at the HM Girls Softball Complex.
HANSON 2, GUEYDAN 0
Kaylee Broussard had a triple and Noel Baker lined a double, helping support the winning pitching performance of Baylee Young as the Hanson Memorial Lady Tigers posted a 2-0 District 7-1A victory over the Gueydan Lady Bears Tuesday at the Hanson Memorial Girls Softball Complex.
In recording the win, the Hanson Lady Tigers scored two runs on eight hits with no errors. Gueydan collected no runs on five hits with no errors.
Leading hitters for the Lady Tigers were: Casey Fitzgerald, 1 for 3, run; Kaylee Broussard, 1 for 3, triple, RBI; Allyssa Young, 1 for 3; Baylee Young, 1 for 3, run; Noel Baker, 2 for 3, double; Ashlee Meyerholtz, 1 for 2, single, RBI; Camille Baker, 1 for 2.
Baylee Young (7-3) ran her District 7-1A record to 6-1 after working all seven innings to record the shutout victory. She worked a complete game, no surrendering any runs while giving up five hits with four strikeouts and one walk.
Gueydan’s Cheyenne LaComb took the loss after going six innings, allowing two runs on eight hits.
Hanson scored its two runs in the fourth and fifth innings on the way to the 2-0 league win over Gueydan.
In the fourth frame, Hanson manufactured one run when Baylee Young singled and advanced to third on Noel Baker’s double. With Young at third and Baker at second, Ashlee Meyerholtz delivered Young on a sacrifice fly, giving Hanson a 1-0 lead.
One inning later, Kaylee Broussard slapped a triple to score Camille Baker _ who had singled and moved to second on a fielder’s choice _ to give the Lady Tigers a 2-0 victory.
With the win, the Hanson Lady Tigers improved to 10-2 in District 7-1A action.