Valencian Chickpea and Chard Soup

threeovens's Note:

Adapted from a recipe in ''A Mediterranean Harvest,'' by Jon Cohen and Paola Scaravelli.

• Total Time: 13 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 12 hrs
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1/2 lb chickpeas, rinsed (about 1 1/3 cups)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 -4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leave
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 -3 teaspoons sweet paprika, to taste
• 1 lb tomatoes, peeled seeded and chopped or 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
• kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb swiss chard or 1 lb kale, stemmed washed and coarsely chopped

Optional Additions

• 2 egg yolks
• 3 -4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 -1 1/2 cup cooked rice

Directions:

1. Soak chickpeas in 1 quart of water for 4 to 6 hours or overnight; drain chickpeas and combine, in a large soup pot or Dutch oven, with 6 cups of water.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, for 1 hour; drain, reserving broth and adding water to bring the liquid back up to 6 cups.
3. Dry out pot and heat the oil over medium heat; cook onions until tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Add garlic, thyme, parsley, and paprika; stir.
5. Add in tomatoes and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes cook down slightly, about 5 to 10 minutes.
6. Add in chickpeas and broth; season with salt and pepper.
7. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until chickpeas are tender, 30 to 60 minutes.
8. Add the chard, cover, and simmer until the greens are very tender, 15 to 20 minutes; turn off heat.
9. If serving with the optional garnishes, whisk the eggs and lemon juice together, temper with a ladle-ful of broth (not boiling!), stir into soup, stirring vigorously so that eggs do not curdle, but rather clouds the soup.
10. Spoon some rice into each serving bowl and top with soup.