Hearty Cicerchie Soup Recipe: A Traditional Italian Comfort Food
If you’re seeking a recipe that combines the rustic charm of traditional Italian cooking with the wholesome goodness of legumes, our Hearty Cicerchie Soup is the perfect choice. This delightful dish, made with ancient legumes called cicerchie, is a soul-soothing experience and a beautiful way to introduce more plant-based meals into your diet.
This recipe is not just a meal—it’s a journey through the Italian countryside, where flavors are simple, ingredients are fresh, and meals are made to bring people together. Let’s dive into this delicious recipe that serves four.
Ingredients
The ingredients for this recipe are carefully selected to provide a balance of flavors and nutrition. Here’s what you’ll need:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Dried Cicerchie | 500 g |
| White Onions | 120 g |
| Celery | 1 stalk |
| Tomatoes | 1 |
| Potatoes | 400 g |
| Garlic Cloves | 2 |
| Vegetable Broth | 5 liters |
| Salt | To taste |
| Black Pepper | To taste |
| Rosemary | 1 sprig |
| Sage Leaves | 3 |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | 5 tbsp |
Nutritional Information
This soup is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. Here’s the approximate nutritional breakdown per serving:
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 8 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to prepare the perfect cicerchie soup:
Step 1: Preparing the Cicerchie
- Begin by soaking the dried cicerchie in a large bowl of water for at least 24 hours. Change the water frequently to remove any impurities.
- After soaking, drain and rinse the cicerchie thoroughly. Set them aside.
Step 2: Preparing the Base
- Finely chop the white onions and celery. Dice the tomato into small cubes.
- In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over low heat. Add the garlic cloves and sauté gently until aromatic, taking care not to let them burn.
Step 3: Cooking the Vegetables
- Add the chopped onions and celery to the pot. Sauté for about 10 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally.
- If needed, add a splash of room-temperature water to prevent the vegetables from sticking or burning.
Step 4: Adding the Main Ingredients
- Once the onions and celery are softened, add the diced potatoes and tomatoes. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Stir well, then pour in the vegetable broth. Use just enough to cover the ingredients, reserving the rest to add later as the soup simmers.
Step 5: Aromatic Bouquet
- Tie the rosemary sprig and sage leaves together with kitchen twine to create an aromatic bouquet. Add it to the pot.
- Cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the soup simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally and adding more broth as needed to maintain a soupy consistency.
Step 6: Cooking the Cicerchie
- After the initial hour of cooking, add the soaked cicerchie to the pot. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
- Continue simmering the soup for another hour, allowing the cicerchie to cook thoroughly and absorb the rich flavors of the broth.
Step 7: Final Touches
- Once the cicerchie are tender and the soup has thickened slightly, remove the aromatic bouquet.
- Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Step 8: Serving the Soup
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with a sprig of fresh rosemary and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately, savoring it while warm.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty soup pairs beautifully with crusty Italian bread, lightly toasted and drizzled with olive oil. For a complete meal, serve it alongside a fresh green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette.
Tips and Variations
- Make It Creamier: If you prefer a creamier texture, blend a small portion of the soup and stir it back into the pot.
- Herbal Variations: Experiment with adding thyme or bay leaves to the aromatic bouquet for a different flavor profile.
- Cicerchie Substitute: If you cannot find cicerchie, try using chickpeas or lentils as a substitute.
Enjoy the comforting warmth of this traditional Italian Cicerchie Soup, a recipe steeped in history and full of heartwarming flavors. Perfect for cozy dinners or as a nourishing first course, this dish will surely become a family favorite.
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