Lima Bean and Spring Vegetable Soup

Info
Cook Time:

Serves:

Ingredients

 * 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
 * 2 white onions, chopped (about 3 cups)
 * ½ cup carrot, chopped and peeled
 * 4½ cups canned low-salt chicken broth or vegetable broth
 * 1 (10-ounce) package frozen baby lima beans, thawed
 * 5 ounces green beans, trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
 * 1 (14.4-ounce) can asparagus, drained, or ¼ (2.5 pound)
 * bag frozen asparagus
 * ⅔ cup thinly sliced fresh basil, or 1 tablespoon dried basil
 * freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions
1.Heat oil in large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and carrot; cook until vegetables are tender but not brown, about 8 minutes.

2.Add broth and bring to boil. Add lima beans and green beans and simmer until almost tender, about 8 minutes.

3.Add asparagus and ⅓ cup basil and simmer until all vegetables are tender, about 7 minutes longer.

4.Season soup with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in basil. Ladle soup into bowls. Top with Parmesan cheese, if desired.