- 1 medium fennel bulb
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 1/4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 medium turnip, peeled and cubed
- 1 medium potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 medium carrot, sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white or black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 3 (3/4 inch thick) slices Italian bread, torn into bite-size pieces
- 1 (15 ounce) can white kidney (cannellini) beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup reduced fat milk
- Salt to taste
- Cut off and discard upper stalks of fennel, snipping and reserving feathery leaves for garnish. Remove any wilted outer layers of fennel and discard; remove core. Finely chop remaining fennel (you should have about 1 cup); set aside.
- In a large saucepan cook onion and garlic in 2 teaspoons hot oil about 4 minutes or until onion is tender. Carefully add chopped fennel, broth, turnip, potato, carrot, and white or black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until vegetables are very tender. Cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, for curry croutons, in a medium bowl combine the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and curry powder. Add the torn bread pieces; toss until coated. Spread bread pieces in a single layer in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until croutons begin to brown, stirring once.
- Place one-third of the vegetable mixture in a blender container or food processor bowl. Cover and blend or process until smooth; pour into a medium bowl. Repeat twice with remaining vegetable mixture. Return all to saucepan. Stir in beans and LACTAID(R) Reduced Fat Milk; heat through. Season to taste with salt.
- To serve, ladle soup into four soup bowls. Top each serving with curry croutons and snipped fennel leaves.