Best 4 Abruzzese Chestnut Lentil Soup Recipes
In the heart of Italy, the Abruzzo region is known for its rich culinary traditions, with dishes that are hearty, flavorful, and steeped in history. Among these culinary treasures, "Abruzzese Chestnut Lentil Soup" stands out as a comforting and nutritious dish that perfectly reflects the region's culinary heritage. This simple yet delectable soup combines the earthy flavors of chestnuts and lentils, creating a velvety broth that is both satisfying and deeply flavorful. With its unique balance of textures and flavors, Abruzzese Chestnut Lentil Soup is a true testament to the culinary artistry of the Abruzzo region. Let's explore the origins and delve into the recipe for this time-honored dish, uncovering the secrets that make it a beloved classic.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
LENTIL SOUP WITH GOAT CHEESE AND ARUGULA
Classic lentil soup is freshened up with a garnish of baby arugula and goat cheese!
Provided by MeganH
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Beans and Peas Lentil Soup Recipes
Time 1h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in a stockpot over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and garlic in hot oil until the onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add carrots and celery to stockpot; continue cooking until soft, about 10 minutes. Pour vegetable broth, water, and white wine over the mixture. Stir crushed tomatoes, lentils, paprika, bay leaves, honey, salt, and black pepper into the mixture; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover the stockpot, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft, about 1 hour.
- Remove and discard bay leaves. Ladle into bowls and top with arugula and goat cheese to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 295.3 calories, Carbohydrate 37.7 g, Cholesterol 11.2 mg, Fat 8.7 g, Fiber 11.4 g, Protein 14.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 768.6 mg, Sugar 8.8 g
ABRUZZESE CHESTNUT AND LENTIL SOUP
Categories Soup/Stew
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- For this soup you will need a heavy-bottomed soup pot or saucepan, 6-quart capacity or larger. Rinse the dried chestnuts, and put them in a bowl with cold water to cover by at least 4 inches. Let soak in a cool place for 8 hours or overnight, and drain them when you start cooking the soup. Pour the olive oil into the soup pot, set over medium-high heat, and drop in the crushed garlic cloves. Cook for a couple of minutes, until they're sizzling and lightly colored, then drop in the herb sprigs and bay leaves, and cook for a minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, bring the juices to a boil, and cook for a minute or two, to concentrate the flavors. Pour in the water, stir well, add the basil leaves and drained chestnuts, and cover the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then set the cover ajar and cook at a gentle boil, reducing gradually, until the chestnuts have softened and have started to crumble, about 1 1/2 hours. Rinse the lentils, and stir them into the soup along with the salt. Return to a full boil, and cook, cover ajar, for 30 minutes or more, until the lentils are tender (timing depends on lentil size and variety) and the broth is flavorful. Ladle the soup into warm bowls. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of freshly grated cheese over each portion, and finish with a swirl of excellent olive oil. Serve right away, with more grated cheese at the table.
CHESTNUT, LENTILS AND VEGETABLE STEW
This is a nice winter stew or soup that everyone loves in my family. It is so comforting on a cold winter night, or it can be a Thanksgiving dish substitute for vegetarians. It tastes wonderful the next day! Experiment with the vegetable combinations!
Provided by experimentalbakerandcook
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews
Time 1h40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Pour the olive oil into a large, deep pot set over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion and garlic; cook until transparent, about 5 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, vegetable broth, and water; cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, pour in the tomatoes, and cook 10 to 15 minutes more. Reduce heat to low, and mix in the lentils and chestnuts; cook for 1 hour until the chestnuts soften. Pour in more water to thin the stew, if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 231.6 calories, Carbohydrate 39 g, Fat 6.1 g, Fiber 6.3 g, Protein 5.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 416.4 mg, Sugar 11.3 g
ABRUZZESE CHESTNUT & LENTIL SOUP
Legumes are a specialty of growers in L'Aquila, the big inland province of Abruzzo, and the pride of the region is the small, tender lentils grown in the mountain village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio. Since my recent visit to this remote, rugged settlement, I have had no doubt that it was in just such a place that this hearty and warming winter soup, thick with lentils and chestnuts, was created. These native foods, so good together, can surely sustain one through long cold winters in the high country. Unfortunately, the delicious lenticchie of Santo Stefano di Sessanio are a limited commodity and not available here. Instead, I recommend using lentils from Castelluccio in Umbria (see Sources, page 387) in this soup. Ordinary lentils are fine as well, though some larger types may need soaking or longer cooking time. Chestnuts, grown along the length of the Apennines, are also essential to Abruzzese cuisine. In season, they're enjoyed in everything from pastas to desserts, and then, like lentils, dried for winter cooking or milled into flour. Though this soup can be made with fresh (or frozen) chestnuts, I use dried chestnuts, as is often the case in Abruzzo. These are available year-round and spare you the work of peeling. I also like the way they cook slowly without disintegrating, giving the soup a particularly nice texture. They do require an overnight soak, however, before you start cooking.
Yield makes 3 1/2 quarts, serving 8 or more
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Rinse the dried chestnuts, and put them in a bowl with cold water to cover by at least 4 inches. Let soak in a cool place for 8 hours or overnight, and drain them when you start cooking the soup.
- Pour the olive oil into the soup pot, set over medium-high heat, and drop in the crushed garlic cloves. Cook for a couple of minutes, until they're sizzling and lightly colored, then drop in the herb sprigs and bay leaves, and cook for a minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, bring the juices to a boil, and cook for a minute or two, to concentrate the flavors.
- Pour in the water, stir well, add the basil leaves and drained chestnuts, and cover the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then set the cover ajar and cook at a gentle boil, reducing gradually, until the chestnuts have softened and have started to crumble, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Rinse the lentils, and stir them into the soup along with the salt. Return to a full boil, and cook, cover ajar, for 30 minutes or more, until the lentils are tender (timing depends on lentil size and variety) and the broth is flavorful.
- Ladle the soup into warm bowls. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of freshly grated cheese over each portion, and finish with a swirl of excellent olive oil. Serve right away, with more grated cheese at the table.
Tips:
- Use dried lentils: Dried lentils are more flavorful than canned lentils and hold their shape better in soup. Remember to sort and rinse the lentils before cooking.
- Sauté the vegetables: Sautéing the vegetables in olive oil before adding them to the soup enhances their flavor and creates a richer broth.
- Use a variety of vegetables: This recipe calls for carrots, celery, and onion, but you can also add other vegetables such as potatoes, turnips, or parsnips.
- Add chestnuts for a nutty flavor: Chestnuts add a unique and nutty flavor to the soup. You can use fresh or frozen chestnuts, or you can buy them already peeled and cooked.
- Season the soup to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a splash of red wine vinegar or lemon juice for a bit of acidity.
- Serve with crusty bread: Abruzzese chestnut lentil soup is traditionally served with crusty bread. This helps to soak up the delicious broth.
Conclusion:
Abruzzese chestnut lentil soup is a hearty and flavorful soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is made with simple ingredients that are easily available and can be tailored to your own taste. Whether you are a beginner cook or an experienced chef, this soup is sure to please everyone at your table.
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