Healthified Tuscan White Bean Soup

A lot of places around the country are still experiencing crazy winter weather and some are starting to show signs of spring.  The one thing I will miss when winter is officially gone is I won't be wanting to eat soup every night so I am trying to eat lots of them until it really is spring!  Try this one out, it only has 120 calories per serving and 1/2 gram of fat and best of all it is delicious!

Healthified Tuscan White Bean Soup
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

1 medium onion, chopped

1 slice bacon, snipped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (15 oz) no-salt-added cannellini beans (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained

1 can (14.5 oz) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained

1 3/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

3 cups baby spinach leaves

Toasted baguette slices and/or fresh thyme sprigs (optional) 
  
In a large saucepan, cook onion, bacon, and garlic about 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in beans; cook 1 minute more. Stir in tomatoes, chicken broth, dried thyme, and black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. 

Remove from heat. Mash bean mixture slightly with the back of a wooden spoon. Stir in spinach. Let stand, covered, for 1 minute to wilt spinach.

 If desired, serve with toasted baguette slices and/or garnish with fresh thyme sprigs.