Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Garbanzo bean soup and the coziness of home

Have I mentioned before why I so crave my home all day long while at work?

Oh, the warmth of home, the feeling of safety, the uniqueness of your heart reveled in everything you love, the coziness of a softly lighten room, the peaceful ambience and quietness that sing lullabies to the tired spirit. And then.... there is food, the chance to experiment with food and the return to my roots though the inexplicably awesome science of bud taste.

The kitchen has been waiting for my return all day long. I’ve been envisioning a tasty bowl of garbanzo soup ever since I stepped out the door this morning to another chilly day under more murky skies. And now I’m finally here, ready to materialize my dream.

Who doesn't like a bowl of soup to warm up? If you live in the South, believe me, there is nothing more satisfying under this gray silent world of ice where I live than a hearty bowl of soup after a long day at work. I love soup, not only because soup goes with the weather, but because I carry soup in my blood so to speak... the Spanish definitely love their soups, particularly in Spain, where the weather can turn chilly in September and stay that way until April. Garbanzo beans are a staple in the traditional Spanish diet and they add texture and flavor, while the vegetables provide added nutritional benefit.

Maybe the best thing about this soup is that it can be prepared in less than an hour using a pressure cooker, but if you are as hungry as I am tonight, opening a can of garbanzo beans would be sufficient. Add your spices and the flavor would the same, nutritionally speaking the benefits are the same, and you can have a delicious homemade soup in less than 30 minutes. Tonight, I’ve also made some picadillo (savory ground beef) and rice... but this is just because Spaniards love their soups with rice, and rice and picadillo are the perfect combination ever, but you can always serve your garbanzo bean soup as a main dish, accompany it with garlic toast, or whatever you want.

Here is my recipe for a yummy (canned) garbanzo bean soup. Nothing could be easier than putting together this hearty soup with seasoned garbanzo beans, rice, and tomatoes. It will warm chilly days and satisfy winter appetites.

Ingredients: Diced chorizo 1 teaspoon olive oil 3/4 cup diced onion 6 cloves of garlic, minced Bunch of diced cilantro ¼ teaspoon cumin 1/2 cup Burgundy or other dry red wine 1 cup diced red and green bell pepper 1/3 cup sliced celery 1 diced potato ½ diced zucchini 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 can low-sodium chicken broth 1 or two can/s garbanzo beans

Cook the chorizo on a Dutch oven with olive oil and place over medium-high heat until browned. Add onion and wine; cook 3 minutes. Add bell pepper and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Visit Susan, at Between naps on the porch for more lovely tables.



21 comments:

  1. A lovely table with some really good looking food!! Happy TT...

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  2. Beautiful table made all the more beautiful with yummy looking food!

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  3. Excellent change of pace this time of year, love the table and the food is making me need a snack...Great job

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  4. A lovely post of a lovely home no wonder you don't want to be at work.

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  5. Cielo

    This soup looks excellent, filled with good nutrition and how can you not feel good at the end of the day when eating this? I may try the crock pot!

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  6. This looks so inviting and beautiful. Love the pretty white dishes and the little birds. The soup and dinner sounds soooooooooo good. Love it all. Hugs, Marty

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  7. What pretty little birds to welcome you home! Love the winter white dishes and soup is what makes winter bearable---almost!

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  8. Beautiful, per usual from you, Cielo!
    The recipe looks delicious~

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  9. I so enjoy seeing pictures of various areas in your home. You sum up the exact same feelings I have while away from my home at work. Like you, I can't wait to be back and enjoy my space. I can't say I long to be back in it to cook though! That's not big on my list. lol! Your soup looks delicious and your table lovely.

    DD

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  10. Thanks for sharing your recipe Cielo. Lovely post.

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  11. I want to try this soup but what is chorizo?

    nannykim at spindlecottage

    http://spindlecottage.blogspot.com

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  12. It all looks wonderful "and" yummy! Thanks for the recipe and for sharing your beautiful table!

    Kat :)

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  13. Thank you for entered my giveaway.
    Good luck!
    Federica

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  14. Lovely table. Looks so serene. Like the little birds. And yes soup is so good on a dreary day.

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  15. ummm, this all looks so so yummy.
    Your table, as always, looks so lovely.

    Do you still have the Show Your Cottage on Mondays?
    hugs, bj

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  16. Mmmmm looks so good. I will have to give this one a try for sure!

    Last fall we hosted a Spanish student (from Madrid) for two months. We loved him so much. We are doing it again this fall. Then, the year after that, my son Tony will go to Spain for his part of the exchange. He is really looking forward to it.

    ((Hugs))
    Laura

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  17. Very simple but elegant with much love.

    Your house really welcome me. Cosy and warmth.

    Have a wonderful week-end.

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  18. I love chorizo, and your soup looks so good. Your table shows off all of your food just right!

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  19. Cielo, I agree with you, there`s nothing better than the cozyness of home and a hot soup when it´s so cold as in your place.
    Cariños,
    Maria Cecilia

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  20. Thank you, that was extremely valuable and interesting...I will be back again to read more on this topic.

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  21. Top website, I had not come across houseinroses.blogspot.com previously during my searches!
    Keep up the great work!

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