Name: Tuscan Bean and Swiss Chard Soup
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 14 hours
Yield: Makes 4 to 6 main-course servings
Ingredients: 1 lb dried white beans such as Great Northern, cannellini, or navy (2 cups), picked over and rinsed; 1/4 lb sliced pancetta, chopped; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large onion, chopped; 1 fennel bulb (sometimes called anise), stalks discarded and bulb chopped; 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 4 cups ">chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth (32 fl oz); 4 cups water; 1 (3- by 2-inch) piece Parmigiano-Reggiano rind; 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 lb Swiss chard (preferably red or rainbow), stems discarded and leaves halved lengthwise, then thinly sliced crosswise; 1 teaspoon salt

The pancetta and cheese rind give this soup a rich, almost creamy flavor. We removed the stems from the Swiss chard, but if you don't want to waste them, feel free to put them in the soup as well: Once the leaves are sliced, chop the stems and add them to the soup along with the leaves.

Cooks' notes:

·Beans can be soaked up to 12 hours. ·To quick-soak beans: Cover beans with cold water by 2 inches in a 5- to 6-quart pot and bring to a boil, uncovered. Boil beans, uncovered, 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, 1 hour. ·Soup is best when made 1 day ahead (to give flavors time to develop). Cool completely, uncovered, then chill, covered. Reheat and, if necessary, thin with water.

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

One-Pot Chicken Thighs With Cilantro Rice and Beans

This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Cod With Lemon Butter Sauce

A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Crème Anglaise

The silky French vanilla sauce that goes with everything.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.