Smoked Ham Chickpea Soup
I propose a delicious and comforting recipe for smoked ham chickpea soup that brings a touch of warmth on colder days. This soup, with its rich and aromatic flavor, is perfect for a family dinner or for a meal where you want to impress your guests. Preparing this recipe is not complicated, and the ingredients are accessible, making it ideal for any cooking enthusiast.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 60 minutes
Total time: 80 minutes
Number of servings: 4
Necessary ingredients:
- 500 g chickpeas
- 1 red onion
- 3-4 cloves of garlic
- 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 carrot
- 1 parsnip
- 1 parsley root
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- A pinch of tomato paste
- Salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried spice mix (thyme, oregano, marjoram, bay leaf, pepper)
- Fresh dill
- 6 thin slices of smoked ham
- 6 bamboo skewers
Preparing the chickpeas:
1. Start by cleaning the chickpeas one by one, a process that may seem tedious but is worth the effort. Make sure to choose quality chickpeas, free of defects. After cleaning, rinse them well under cold running water.
2. Place the chickpeas in a large bowl, cover them with water, and let them soak overnight. This step is essential to reduce cooking time and achieve a creamier soup.
3. The next day, drain the chickpeas and rinse them again in several waters to remove any impurities. They are now ready to be boiled!
Preparing the soup:
4. In a large pot, add the chickpeas and cover them with water, leaving a space of 2-3 fingers above. Add salt, a splash of olive oil, and the dried spice mix. Boil the chickpeas over medium heat until they become soft (about 45-60 minutes).
5. Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables. Peel the carrot, parsnip, and parsley root, then grate them finely. Chop the red onion and slice the garlic cloves.
6. In a skillet, heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and add the slices of smoked ham. Sauté them on all sides until they become golden and crispy, then place them on a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Once cooled, skewer each slice on a bamboo skewer, giving them a wavy shape for an attractive presentation.
7. In the remaining oil in the skillet, add the grated vegetables and sauté until they become soft, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add the tomato paste and sweet paprika, mixing well.
8. Once the chickpeas are boiled, drain them and add them to the skillet along with the sautéed vegetables. Mix everything well, and if necessary, add a little of the water in which the chickpeas were boiled to achieve the desired consistency.
9. Using a blender, transform the mixture into a smooth soup. You can adjust the thickness by adding more water or broth, to taste. Finally, add a few sprigs of fresh dill for an extra touch of freshness.
Serving:
10. Serve the chickpea soup warm, garnished with pieces of fried ham, a few cooked chickpeas, and a sprinkle of sweet paprika for a colorful and appetizing appearance.
This soup is not only tasty but also packed with nutrients. Chickpeas are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and vitamins, while the smoked ham adds a savory flavor that perfectly complements the dish.
Serving suggestions:
- You can accompany this soup with crunchy croutons or a slice of freshly baked homemade bread.
- A simple green salad with cherry tomatoes and lemon dressing would perfectly complete the meal.
- If you desire a touch of acidity, a few drops of lemon juice added to the soup before serving will work wonders.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use canned chickpeas?
Although dried chickpeas provide a better texture and a more intense flavor, you can use canned chickpeas to save time. Just make sure to rinse them well before using.
2. What other spices can I use?
You can experiment with spices like cumin, coriander, or turmeric, which will add an exotic flavor to the soup.
3. How can I make the soup spicier?
Adding a finely chopped chili pepper during the sautéing of the vegetables or a tablespoon of chili paste will add a kick of heat.
This smoked ham chickpea soup is an excellent choice for a healthy, comforting meal full of flavors. I invite you to try it and enjoy every spoonful! Enjoy your meal!
I propose a delicious and comforting recipe for smoked ham chickpea soup that brings a touch of warmth on colder days. This soup, with its rich and aromatic flavor, is perfect for a family dinner or for a meal where you want to impress your guests. Preparing this recipe is not complicated, and the ingredients are accessible, making it ideal for any cooking enthusiast.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 60 minutes
Total time: 80 minutes
Number of servings: 4
Necessary ingredients:
- 500 g chickpeas
- 1 red onion
- 3-4 cloves of garlic
- 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 carrot
- 1 parsnip
- 1 parsley root
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- A pinch of tomato paste
- Salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried spice mix (thyme, oregano, marjoram, bay leaf, pepper)
- Fresh dill
- 6 thin slices of smoked ham
- 6 bamboo skewers
Preparing the chickpeas:
1. Start by cleaning the chickpeas one by one, a process that may seem tedious but is worth the effort. Make sure to choose quality chickpeas, free of defects. After cleaning, rinse them well under cold running water.
2. Place the chickpeas in a large bowl, cover them with water, and let them soak overnight. This step is essential to reduce cooking time and achieve a creamier soup.
3. The next day, drain the chickpeas and rinse them again in several waters to remove any impurities. They are now ready to be boiled!
Preparing the soup:
4. In a large pot, add the chickpeas and cover them with water, leaving a space of 2-3 fingers above. Add salt, a splash of olive oil, and the dried spice mix. Boil the chickpeas over medium heat until they become soft (about 45-60 minutes).
5. Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables. Peel the carrot, parsnip, and parsley root, then grate them finely. Chop the red onion and slice the garlic cloves.
6. In a skillet, heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and add the slices of smoked ham. Sauté them on all sides until they become golden and crispy, then place them on a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Once cooled, skewer each slice on a bamboo skewer, giving them a wavy shape for an attractive presentation.
7. In the remaining oil in the skillet, add the grated vegetables and sauté until they become soft, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add the tomato paste and sweet paprika, mixing well.
8. Once the chickpeas are boiled, drain them and add them to the skillet along with the sautéed vegetables. Mix everything well, and if necessary, add a little of the water in which the chickpeas were boiled to achieve the desired consistency.
9. Using a blender, transform the mixture into a smooth soup. You can adjust the thickness by adding more water or broth, to taste. Finally, add a few sprigs of fresh dill for an extra touch of freshness.
Serving:
10. Serve the chickpea soup warm, garnished with pieces of fried ham, a few cooked chickpeas, and a sprinkle of sweet paprika for a colorful and appetizing appearance.
This soup is not only tasty but also packed with nutrients. Chickpeas are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and vitamins, while the smoked ham adds a savory flavor that perfectly complements the dish.
Serving suggestions:
- You can accompany this soup with crunchy croutons or a slice of freshly baked homemade bread.
- A simple green salad with cherry tomatoes and lemon dressing would perfectly complete the meal.
- If you desire a touch of acidity, a few drops of lemon juice added to the soup before serving will work wonders.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use canned chickpeas?
Although dried chickpeas provide a better texture and a more intense flavor, you can use canned chickpeas to save time. Just make sure to rinse them well before using.
2. What other spices can I use?
You can experiment with spices like cumin, coriander, or turmeric, which will add an exotic flavor to the soup.
3. How can I make the soup spicier?
Adding a finely chopped chili pepper during the sautéing of the vegetables or a tablespoon of chili paste will add a kick of heat.
This smoked ham chickpea soup is an excellent choice for a healthy, comforting meal full of flavors. I invite you to try it and enjoy every spoonful! Enjoy your meal!
Ingredients
(4 servings) 1/2 kg of chickpeas, 1 red onion, 3-4 cloves of garlic, olive oil, 1 carrot, 1 parsnip root, 1 parsley root, 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika, a pinch of tomato paste, salt, 1 teaspoon of a mix of dried spices (thyme, oregano, marjoram, bay leaf, pepper), fresh dill, 6 thin slices of ham, 6 bamboo skewers