Italian Chickpea Soup With Bacon Recipes

ITALIAN CHICKPEA SOUP

Steps:

• In a medium pot add olive oil, garlic, carrots, celery, salt, basil, oregano, thyme, hot pepper flakes, tomato puree, water and chick peas. Cook over medium heat till boiling, stirring till all ingredients are combined, once boiling reduce heat and continue cooking, stirring occasionally.
• Cook for approximately 50 to 60 minutes (don't be scared to taste, you must taste, you have to taste for salt and doneness). Once the beans are tender, add another cup of water (depending how soupy you like it you may want to add more water) bring to a boil and immediately add the small pasta (this is where you must taste again for salt) again stirring occasionally (so pasta doesn't stick to the bottom) and cook till al dente (about 5 minutes for small pasta).
• When done, turn off heat, serve immediately in soup bowls, topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

COMFORT SOUP (CHICKPEA AND BACON)

Steps:

• Saute onion, garlic and bacon together until the onion is soft and translucent. Don't be tempted to drain the bacon fat (I use a rather lean bacon, anyway, and there's not that much fat - if you have tons of it, then remove some). Add the chickpeas, carrots, tomato paste, bay leaf and 1 1/2 quarts water. Season to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook, covered for 1/2 an hour. Add the pearl barley and simmer for another 40-60 minutes, or until the chickpeas and barley are cooked through and the soup is quite thick (if the soup is too thick, thin with a little hot water until you achieve the consistency you desire).
• This was a really satisfying meal with a tossed green salad and garlic bread.