Smokey Garlic White Bean Soup

Enjoy a flavour-filled bowl of satisfying soup that is low in fat and high in fibre.
Ingredients:
- white beans - 1 lb.
- Smoked Garlic Seasoning (or to taste) - 2 tsp.
- yellow onion minced - 1
- bacon (optional) - 2 strips
- large carrot diced - 1
- bay leaf - 1
- beef stock - 4 c.
- diced tomatoes (optional) - 19 oz. can
Instructions:
Rinse beans; soak overnight in cold water. Rinse well under running water,drain. Saute bacon in medium sized soup pot (reserve bacon to crumble as a garnish). Saute onion and carrot in bacon drippings (or butter if not using bacon). Toss beans in pot with Smoked Garlic Seasoning. Add 4 cups of beef bouillon, can tomatoes and bay leaf to pot, stir well and let simmer until beans are tender, boiling can cause skins to split. (About 2 hrs., add more stock if needed). Remove 1/4 c. soup; puree; return to soup pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serves 6-8