Carolyn Malcoun
Used by permission. (c) Eating Well, Inc.
| 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil | 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes | |
| 1 large onion, diced | 5 cups chopped collard greens, or kale leaves (about 1 bunch), tough stems removed | |
| 1 large carrot, sliced | 1 15-ounce can black-eyed peas, rinsed | |
| 1 stalk celery, sliced | 6 1/2-inch-thick slices baguette, preferably whole-grain, cut on the diagonal | |
| 5 cloves garlic, (4 sliced and 1 whole), divided | 6 tablespoons shredded Gruyre or Swiss cheese | |
| 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste | 2 slices cooked bacon, finely chopped | |
| 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth |
Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and celery and cook, stirring, until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add sliced garlic, thyme and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Increase heat to high and add broth, tomatoes and their juice. Bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in collard greens (or kale), reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the greens are tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Discard the thyme sprig. Stir in black-eyed peas; remove from the heat and cover.
Position rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler.
Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and broil until lightly toasted, 2 to 4 minutes. Rub each bread slice with the remaining garlic clove. (Discard garlic.) Turn the slices over and top with cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted, 1 to 3 minutes. Serve the soup topped with the cheese toasts and bacon.