Friday, February 10, 2012

Tomato chickpea soup with roasted cumin



Where is the time going? Another crazy week at work has come and gone, hand in hand with more snow and another child at home with the flu since yesterday.

A few random questions I have been asking myself in the past days:

Who knew that picking up a report card as a parent would be almost as excruciating an experience? This week my oldest child got her first report card and I’m telling you, that walk down the hall, sitting in front of the classroom waiting to be judged, that feeling of dread, insecurity all came back in a flash. Except this time it involved someone I love more than I loved myself way back when, so multiply it by 100.

When did my children’s social life get more active than mine? I used to be out on the town almost every night of the week and between you and me, partying did not involve toy stores, runny noses, drop-offs and soggy layer cake.

Why is everybody surprised I am still riding my bike in sub zero temperatures? If you ask me it is much warmer biking than standing for ten minutes at a bus stop. And besides, entire countries function daily in this kind of weather.



So, as I mentioned above, temperatures are still below zero here in Italy. This is a dish that works perfectly on our side of the equator, to warm the body and soul but it also works well in the summer heat served at room temperature with a nice dollop of cool yogurt or cream. The recipe I followed actually described this as a quick soup to be made with precooked (or canned) chickpeas, so cooking times were much shorter than mine. Nonetheless, I feel this kind of soup benefits from longer cooking on low heat. Also, the next time I make this I think I will sauté some chopped garlic and onion in the pot before adding the spices and the tomato base.



Ingredients:
500gr (about 4 cups) soaked chickpeas
2tsp grated fresh ginger
1 green cardamom
2 cloves
1.5tsp roasted ground cumin
1tsp cumin seeds (whole)
chili to taste
½ tsp turmeric
1.5 cups canned tomato puree (I used the chunky kind)
olive oil
salt to taste
yogurt or sour cream to garnish
fresh coriander to garnish (I was out but it certainly makes a difference)


Roast the cumin in a pan (making sure it doesn’t burn) and grind it.

Mix together turmeric, salt and roasted cumin with the tomato puree and 2 cups water and stir it to mix.

Roast the cardamom and cloves in the pan you previously used for the cumin. Add the olive oil, the cumin seeds and the chili peppers if you like some heat. Once the cumin seeds start roasting add the ginger and cook for a couple of minutes.

Next stir in the tomato puree and let it let it cook for a few minutes at medium heat.

Add the chickpeas, cover and cook for about an hour and a half, or as long as it takes to cook them through. Add water if needed. When the chickpeas are ready, mash a few with the back of a fork or a hand mixer. Simmer a little longer, couple of more minutes. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil, dollop of yogurt or sour cream and some fresh coriander leaves.






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19 comments:

  1. So perfect for the freezing weather. Bring on spring!

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  2. Looks wildly tasty and fragrant. Roman has a social life and schedule that I'm sure I did not have at his age. I'm ok with that. I'll have my nights out in a few years down the line I'm sure...
    Good for you for riding to work. I hope it warms up soon for you!

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    1. I would not go out to party the way I used to if they paid me, believe me. But in the past three weeks I reaized we have had a birthday part for one or the other every single day of every week end, sometimes even two!

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  3. Looks like you provided the recipe for our dinner tonight. Sounds fantastic!!

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  4. Una bel tegame come questo e io sono a posto! Davvero fagioli, lenticchie e ceci sono fra i miei cibi preferiti, e poi con questo freddo cosa desiderare di più?! Magari un po' di quella torta con sciroppo d'arancia... slurp
    Grazie per aver pensato di mettere link e foto sul tuo blog: mi fa piacere!
    ps l'immagine prendila tranquillamente dal sito :)

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  5. that's perfect for the weather right now, and love that it's flavourful and frugal at the same time!

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    1. Hi Shu Han, thanks for dropping by!Just went onto your blog and am already intrigued by your last post. Will definitely be reading more.

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  6. You read my mind! I was just thinking that it would work so well here where it is warmer. And thankfully the report cards don't come around all that often right!

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  7. Your comments about reports had the memories of parents evening flooding back, somehow you feel it is you the parents that the teachers are reporting on not the children. :) Take Care on your bike in this weather, too much snow for cycling here!

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    Replies
    1. So true, you feel like you are being judged as a parent, how you do your parenting.

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  8. MMM...Just the dish I would love right now, looks so comforting and sunny!

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  9. I absolutely love the combination of chickpeas and cumin - so rich and hearty and perfect for winter. I'm in that blissful stage in between school and having kids where you don't have to worry about anyone's report cards but can imagine it's a painful process - the trials and tribulations of being a parent!

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    Replies
    1. Everything in its own time. Enjoy this phase: I'm not saying it is better than others but you do have a freedom you will not have in many other moments of your life.

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  10. I always love legumes stew in the winter. In fact I think I always eat double portions when it comes to bean stews. I will try this chickpea stew!

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  11. That bowl of soup will warm up the chilliest nights, right down to my toes!

    Haha, I didn't know parents go through angst over their kids' first report cards! I remember my parents celebrating my first test...I got a 100 and the moment I walked into the house my dad was waiting on his knees to give me a hug! Aww...thanks for making me remember that precious memory.

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    1. I did at least, but maybe because it was the first. So glad you got that memory back: you see how important it was for your parents?

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  12. That looks really good and healthy too!

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