White Bean and Ham Soup

INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp

butter

1 cup

diced white onion

carrot (peeled and diced)

ribs celery (diced)

1 tsp

minced garlic

or 4 fresh thyme sprigs

4 cups

low-sodium chicken broth

3 15 ounce cans

cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups

chopped (fully-cooked ham)

Salt and fresh ground pepper (to taste)

2 cups

cubed (1-inch French bread)

1 tbsp

butter (melted)

1 tbsp

olive oil

1/2 tsp

garlic powder

2 tbsp

shredded Parmesan