Friday, December 14, 2007

Leeks, Swiss Chard & Chorizo Soup

Leek, Mushroom & Swiss Chard Soup
Inspired by my fridge

Prep time: 15 minutes
Simmer time: 1 hour plus…

Serves: 8

Ingredients:
3 large leeks (4 cups/ 12 oz/ 320 g), halved length-wise, sliced across, rinsed and drained.
2 tbsp olive oil
2 links smoked chorizo sausage (I use mild, but we’re babies!) thinly sliced
4 -6 cups Swiss Chard , rinsed well, drained and coarsely chopped
4 cups/1 liter/ 35 fluid oz. chicken broth
1 large carrot, grated
I had 4 small new potatoes I wanted to use up so I grated those too
1 tin 540ml/ 18-20oz whole tomatoes, coarsely chopped with juice
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp dried Italian herb blend
1 tin 540 ml/ 18-20oz navy beans, drained (mostly to reduce salt. I would prefer to use dried beans soaked overnight, but no time)

Directions:
1. In a Dutch oven or large soup pot, sauté the leeks in oil until they are soft and semi-translucent (8-10 minutes).

2. Add the chorizo and sauté for 3 minutes.

3. Add the Swiss Chard and stir several times until the leaves are wilted. If it gets too dry add a bit of broth so the leeks won’t scorch. (5 minutes). Add the grated carrot (and potatoes, if using) and tomatoes.

4. Add the vegetable broth and seasonings, cover and simmer over medium low heat for at 20 minutes but longer is better. Everything just really absorbs the flavors.

5. Add the beans and continue to simmer for at least 20 minutes.

Truthfully, I put this up in the morning and leave it all day on the lowest heat. Then it’s ready whenever we are for supper.

Serve with some crusty bread (multigrain if you’re doing South Beach Diet) and a simple salad.

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3 comments:

Mike of Mike's Table said...

Looks delicious. Chorizo, like bacon, is one of those ingredients that makes any dish awesome. The other ingredients look great, too ;-)

Kalyn Denny said...

Sounds good to me! I agree with Mike that chorizo is good with so many things.

Terry at Counting Sheep said...

Your recipes rock! Just discovered your blog.