Spinach and Chickpea Soup
Most people seem to adore chickpeas, and one of their strongest attributes is that, unlike other dried legumes, they produce delicious cooking liquid. So if you lack stock for this dish, don’t worry about it. But—and this is true for the several chickpea recipes that follow as well as this one—the cooking time for chickpeas is unpredictable. Cook the beans the day before you plan to make the soup if at all possible, or at least soak them for several hours to reduce the cooking time (or, in a pinch, use canned chickpeas). Once they’re done, the cooking time is just a few minutes. If you are so inclined, this soup remains equally authentic and becomes more substantial if you add 1/2 to 1 pound browned sausage chunks. You can brown the sausage right before the onions, in the same skillet.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
If time allows, soak the chickpeas for several hours or overnight in water to cover. (If it does not, boil them for 2 minutes, then soak for 2 hours; or just start cooking them, unsoaked.) Place in a pot with fresh water to cover by at least 2 inches. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat, and simmer, covered, for at least 1 hour or until tender.
Step 2
Put half of the oil in a deep skillet or casserole and turn the heat to medium-high. A minute later, add the onion, garlic, a large pinch of salt, and some pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and begins to brown, about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Step 3
Add the stock, stir, and adjust the heat so the mixture simmers. Add the spinach, stir, and continue to cook while you proceed.
Step 4
When the chickpeas are tender, remove them from the heat and drain them, reserving their cooking water. Puree half of the chickpeas, using a food mill, an immersion blender, or an upright blender, adding enough of the reserved cooking water to keep the mixture moving smoothly. (Take care when pureeing hot liquid; it’s best, if you have the time, to let the mixture cool to room temperature before pureeing. You may need to work in batches.)
Step 5
Transfer the puree to the casserole containing the spinach, along with the remaining chickpeas. Cook for a few minutes longer, taste and adjust the seasonings, then garnish with parsley and serve.
