1/4 lb Pancetta (Italian bacon)
- finely diced
1 md Onion; finely diced
1 sm Carrot; finely diced
2    Celery ribs; thinly sliced
1 ts Finely minced garlic
1 c  Dried white beans
4 c  Low-sodium chicken broth
1 ts Chopped fresh thyme leaves
-=OR=-
1 ts -Dried thyme
6 lg Swiss chard leaves
Salt and pepper; as desired
Grated Parmesan cheese
- as desired

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350F. Place pancetta in an oven-proof pot over medium heat
and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add the onion, carrot,
celery and garlic and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, another 7
minutes, or until vegetables soften. Add the beans, broth and thyme. Cover
tightly, place in oven. Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until beans are soft.
Meanwhile, remove center stem from the chard leaves. Slice into crosswise
slices 1/4-inch thick. Roughly chop the chard leaves. Add the chard to the
bean mixture and replace in the oven. If the soup is looking too thick, add
some water. Cook another 20 minutes. Remove the pot from the oven and add
salt and pepper as needed. Serve the soup piping hot and offer grated
Parmesan cheese on the side.