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Name a better activity for an autumnal, sweater-weather Sunday than simmering a cozy soup. (Oh, and apple-picking doesn't count.) When cooked from dry, chickpeas are way more tender than their canned counterparts—and, despite what you've been told, they don't evenneedto be soaked. We cook them straight from the bag, then harness the flavor of their cooking liquid to make the base for a creamy, bean-studded soup. A small amount of ham—in the form of a smoked hock—goes a long way here. You won’t get a lot of meat off that bone; its major contribution is saltiness, smokiness, and a silky, rich texture. If you don’t have or can’t find a ham hock, use a few ounces of slab bacon instead.
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What you’ll need
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Measuring Spoons
$10 At Bon Appétit Market
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Measuring Cups
$18 At Bon Appétit Market
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Large Basting Spoon
$16.37 At Amazon
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Vegetable Peeler
$10 At Amazon
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Chef's Knife
$34.53 At Amazon
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Cutting Board
$10 At IKEA
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Blender
$45 At Amazon
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Ladle
$8 At Amazon
Ingredients
4–6 servings
Step 1
Place1 lb. dried chickpeasin a large stockpot and cover with4 qt. water. Season with2 Tbsp. saltand bring to a boil over high heat and cook, skimming any foam that rises to surface, about 20 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and bring to a simmer.
Step 2
While you’re waiting for the water to boil, peel2 carrots. Halve1 large onionthrough root end and remove papery skins. Smash and peel8 garlic cloves.
Step 3
Addcarrots,onion,garlic,1 smoked ham hock, and¼ cup extra-virgin olive oilto pot. Add1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes,1 tsp. cumin seeds, and1 tsp. smoked paprika; season with several twists ofblack pepperand stir to combine.
Step 4
Adjust heat so that you’re at a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally and topping off with more water to keep chickpeas submerged by at least 2", until chickpeas are completely tender, 1½–2½ hours (this may take longer, in which case continue to simmer, checking every 15 minutes or so).
Step 5
Meanwhile, strip leaves of1 bunch curly kalefrom stems, then tear leaves into about 2" pieces. Set aside.
Step 6
Using a slotted spoon, transfer ham hock to a cutting board; let sit until cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes. Using same spoon, transfer carrots and onion to a blender or food processor. Scoop out 2 cups chickpeas and add to blender, then dunk measuring cup into soup to collect 1 cup liquid and pour into blender. Blend until mixture is smooth, about 30 seconds. (Alternately, transfer vegetables, chickpeas, and liquid to a deep bowl and use an immersion blender.)
Step 7
Pour purée back into soup (this is what is going to make the soup thick, creamy, and luscious). Add reserved kale and stir to submerge.
Step 8
Pick meat from ham hock, discarding skin, bones, and any large pieces of fat and cartilage, and cut into ½" pieces; add to soup. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until greens are extremely tender and soup is thickened slightly, about 45 minutes.
Step 9
Using a ladle, divide soup among bowls.
Step 10
Drizzle with oil; season with salt and black pepper.
Step 11
Do Ahead:Soup can be made 2 days ahead. Let cool, then transfer to an airtight container and chill. Reheat over medium, adding water if needed to loosen.
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Leave a Review
Reviews (1)
Back to TopGreat use for leftover Easter ham. Super easy & tons of flavor!
Kate J
Oakland, CA
4/11/2023