Pasta E Ceci Pasta With Chickpeas Recipes

PASTA E CECI (ITALIAN PASTA AND CHICKPEA STEW)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not taking on any color, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, rosemary and red-pepper flakes, and cook 1 minute more. Season well with salt and pepper.
• Stir in the tomatoes and the chickpeas, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon or spatula and smashing about 1/2 cup of the beans.
• Add 3 cups water and bring to a boil over high. Add the pasta and simmer, stirring often to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan, until the pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. The water will mostly be absorbed by the pasta, but if you prefer it brothier, you can add 1/2 to 1 cup water and simmer until warmed through, 1 minute more. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add the escarole and stir until wilted. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly. Ladle into bowls and top with grated cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

PASTA E CECI - PASTA WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Add onion, celery, garlic, and rosemary in pan with olive oil and cook over gentle heat for 15-20 minutes, until the vegetables are very soft. Be careful not to caramelize them!
• Drain chickpeas in cold water and add them to pan, then cover with chicken stock. Cook over gentle heat for 30 minutes.
• Remove half the chickpeas and reserve in a bowl.
• Use an immersion blender to puree the remaining soup (or jush mash the chick peas up really well with a potato masher for a more rustic presentation).
• Return reserved chickpeas to pan, and add pasta. Cook gently until the chickpeas are tender and the pasta is cooked.
• If the soup is a little too thick, add small amounts of hot water until it's the consistency you like.
• Season with salt, pepper, vinegar, and fresh herbs. Serve with a good loaf of bread!
• Feel free to exchange the type of stock - this is equally good with beef or chicken instead of vegetable!