White Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 8 leaves fresh kale, or 1 small bunch
• 3 cups Vegetable Stock
• 1 cup peeled and diced baking potato
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 bouquet garni: 1 large sprig thyme, 4 sprigs parsley with stems, 1 bay leaf, 8 peppercorns and 4 whole cloves tied in 2 leaves of leek or wrapped in cheesecloth
• 2 15-oz. cans navy beans or cannellini beans, or 4 cups home-cooked beans with 1 1/2 cups liquid
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
• Lemon juice to taste
• 2 cups diced onions
• 2 cups diced, peeled carrots
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 2 cups diced celery
• 1 cup diced leek, white and pale green parts only
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 whole cloves
• 1 bunch parsley stems