January 6, 2021

Garbanzo Beans Soup

Posted by HI Cookery under 01 January | Tags: , , , , , , , |
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Garbanzo Beans Soup

with Parsley and Parmesan

January 6: National Bean Day

On busy days when we do not have time to prepare a big dinner but want something soothing and heartwarming, we make a simple soup out of canned garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas). The garlic chips and Parmesan cheese add flavor and texture while the parsley flakes add color.

We complete this meager meal with slices of crusty French or Italian bread or baguette and dip them in an olive oil sauce that complements the soup well—it uses some of the same ingredients (olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper and parsley)—so preparation time is quick and all-in-one.

Try this tasty garbanzo beans soup on National Bean Day and during National Soup Month in January with the bonus recipe for the olive oil dipping sauce for bread for a delicious dinner duo!

Recipe

(Adapted from Martha Stewart)

Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (about a tablespoon)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 1 can (1 ¾ cups) chicken broth
  • ½ cup water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • Parmesan cheese, shredded

Directions

Drain and rinse the can of garbanzo beans in a colander. Optional: Rub off and discard extra skin from the beans. Slice the garlic thinly. Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat and stir in the garlic slices.

Add the red pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue to saute the garlic until it changes color but do not brown or it will become bitter. Remove garlic chips to a plate and set aside. In the same pot, add the drained garbanzo beans. Cook on medium high heat. Smash a bit of the garbanzo beans, leaving a few whole.

Cook for about five minutes in the olive oil before adding the broth and water. Salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10 more minutes. When ready to serve, ladle into soup bowls. Sprinkle the chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese and garlic chips on top. Serve hot with crusty bread and dipping sauce.

Bonus Recipe: Olive Oil Dipping Sauce for Crusty Bread

(Adapted from My San Antonio)

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped

Directions

In a small cup, combine the olive oil, vinegar, pepper flakes and garlic.

Salt and pepper to taste. Chop the parsley and mix everything. Invert into a lipped plate. Serve with crusty bread.

Notes

  • We halved the original garbanzo soup recipe for just the two of us.
  • Also try the garlic garbanzo soup recipe for something similar to this post.

 

January 6, 2018

Lentil Soup

Posted by HI Cookery under 01 January | Tags: , , , , , |
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Lentil Soup with Lemon

lentilsoup

January 6: National Bean Day

We are but a few days into the new year and our resolution to eat healthier is fulfilled with this recipe for lentil soup with lemon. In some countries (like Italy, Hungary and Lebanon), these lucky legumes are considered an auspicious new year’s food. The beans’ flat and round shape resembles coins and, when cooked in liquid, the lentils plump up, symbolizing growing wealth. Health and wealth in a bowl are a wonderful way to ring in the new year as well as celebrate National Bean Day!

Recipe

Adapted from Sol S.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lentils (preferably red lentils), rinsed
  • 6 cups water (or chicken or vegetable stock)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 5+ cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

Directions

In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the lentils and cook covered for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a pan. Saute the chopped onions and minced garlic until soft and fragrant.

lentilsoupsteps1

Add the onion-garlic mixture to the lentils. Stir in the ground cumin. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and cilantro leaves. Ladle into soup bowls and serve hot with flat breads.

lentilsoupsteps2

Notes

  • Lentil soup with lemon is also a good recipe to make during January (National Soup Month). We also like to eat lentil soup on Lent Fridays—it is simply delicious while fasting from meat dishes.
  • Thanks to our Syrian chef friend, Sol. S., for sharing this recipe with us.
  • Search our blog for more bean and soup recipes.
 

January 6, 2014

Portuguese Bean Soup

Posted by HI Cookery under 01 January | Tags: , , , , , , , , , |
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Portuguese Bean Soup (Slow Cooker)

Portuguese Bean Soup

January 6: National Bean Day

Although Pacific Islanders and Asians dominate Hawaii’s immigrant population, there is a sizable settlement of Europeans (Brits, Scots, Russians, Germans, Spaniards and Portuguese) on the islands.

Portuguese cuisine is especially popular in Hawaii as the people shared their cultural cooking customs at the historic plantations. We especially love their donuts (malassadas), sweet bread (pão doce), sausage (linguiça) and bean soup served in several restaurants and food trucks.

This blog post presents a slow cooker recipe for Portuguese bean soup, a hearty stew of linguiça, ham hocks, vegetables and kidney beans. Portuguese bean soup is perfect for cold winter days, during January’s National Soup Month and National Slow Cooker Month and on National Bean Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from the Star-Advertiser)

For the soup stock

  • 2-3 smoked ham hocks
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
  • 3-5 cloves garlic
  • 1 cup cilantro leaves, chopped

Directions

Line a 6-quart slow cooker with the appropriate cooking bag. Place the ham hocks in the crock pot and pour water over them. Sprinkle rosemary and crushed garlic.

Portuguese Bean Soup

Chop the cilantro and add to the crock  pot. Cover with the lid and cook on low for at least four hours until the ham hocks are tender. Remove the ham hocks from the crock pot and slice off the meat, discarding the bones and fatty skin. Return to the crock pot and add the remaining stew ingredients.

Portuguese Bean Soup

 For the stew

  • 12 ounces Portuguese sausage, sliced ½-inch thick
  • 2 cups tomatoes, diced
  • 1 large onion, sliced and quartered
  • 1 large potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch slices
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) kidney beans with liquid
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 3 cups cabbage, shredded

Directions

In the crock pot, add the sliced Portuguese sausage, tomatoes, onions and potatoes.

Portuguese Bean Soup

Mix in the carrots, kidney beans and tomato sauce. Stir until blended. Cover and cook on low for 6-10 hours or until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the cabbage, cover and cook for another 30 minutes or until the cabbage is soft. Ladle the stew into soup bowls and garnish with a sprigs of fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve hot with Portuguese sweet bread or over steamed white rice.

Portuguese Bean Soup

Notes

  • Obrigado (thanks) to Lisa L. for the San Miguel rooster prop in the final food photo above that she got for us in Portugal. She also used to be stationed in Hawaii years ago and is back this year for a few months working for the U.S. Navy. Lucky for her, she gets to eat Portuguese bean soup and other authentic local-style foods in Islander’s home state!
  • Other versions of the Portuguese bean soup recipe include macaroni to add texture and thickness to the broth.