Pasta e ceci, also known as pasta with chickpeas, is a classic dish from Italian cuisine that combines the hearty goodness of pasta with the earthy flavors of chickpeas. This simple yet delicious dish is a delightful harmony of flavors and textures, making it a popular choice among pasta enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking for a comforting and flavorful meal, this article will guide you through the process of creating an exceptional pasta e ceci that will tantalize your taste buds.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PASTA E CECI (ITALIAN PASTA AND CHICKPEA STEW)
There is an incredible number of recipes for this classic Roman dish, and everyone has an opinion on how it should be prepared. This version is more stew than soup, but it can be loosened up with a bit more water if you prefer. It begins with sautéing onion, tomatoes, garlic and rosemary in olive oil, then tossing in the chickpeas, and smashing a few to give the stew a creamy texture. Water is added, then uncooked pasta, which cooks as the stew simmers (and results in one less dish for you wash). Escarole is folded in right before serving. This flexible stew can go in a number of directions, so tweak it as you see fit, but don't forget to finish each bowl with grated pecorino and a drizzle of olive oil. Ciao.
Provided by Colu Henry
Categories dinner, weekday, soups and stews, appetizer, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not taking on any color, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, rosemary and red-pepper flakes, and cook 1 minute more. Season well with salt and pepper.
- Stir in the tomatoes and the chickpeas, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon or spatula and smashing about 1/2 cup of the beans.
- Add 3 cups water and bring to a boil over high. Add the pasta and simmer, stirring often to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan, until the pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. The water will mostly be absorbed by the pasta, but if you prefer it brothier, you can add 1/2 to 1 cup water and simmer until warmed through, 1 minute more. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add the escarole and stir until wilted. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly. Ladle into bowls and top with grated cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.
PASTA E CECI (PASTA WITH CHICKPEAS) RECIPE
Pasta with brothy chickpeas is Italian comfort food at its best.
Provided by Katie Leaird
Categories Mains Quick and Easy Quick Dinners
Time 35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add garlic and rosemary, season lightly with salt, and cook, stirring frequently, until garlic softens and turns golden, about 5 minutes. Add pepper flakes and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and cook until tomato paste is fragrant and turns dark brick red, about 1 minute.
- Stir in wine, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Bring to a simmer, and cook until wine has emulsified with olive oil and mixture is slightly reduced, about 2 minutes.
- If using cooked dry chickpeas: Stir in 1 cup (170g) chickpeas and 1 cup (240ml) chickpea cooking liquid. Using a potato masher or wooden spoon, mash chickpeas against the sides and bottom of the pot until completely broken down. Stir in the rest of the chickpeas and remaining 3 cups (710ml) cooking liquid (supplementing with stock or water as needed to reach 3 cups), and black pepper. Season with salt to taste. Proceed to Step 4. If using canned chickpeas: Remove Dutch oven from heat; remove and discard rosemary sprig. Add 1 cup (170g) chickpeas and 1 cup (240ml) stock, and using an immersion blender, blend mixture until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. (If you do not have a handheld immersion blender, transfer mixture to blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour mixture back into Dutch oven.) Stir in remaining 2 cups (340ml) of chickpeas, 3 cups (710ml) stock, and black pepper. Season with salt to taste.
- Bring chickpea mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in pasta and cook, stirring frequently, until pasta is just shy of al dente (1 to 2 minutes less than the package directs, as the pasta will continue to cook off-heat), and liquid is reduced to a consistency that falls between soupy and saucy. Adjust consistency as needed with additional water, stock, or chickpea cooking liquid, keeping in mind that liquid will tighten up as it cools due to starch from the chickpeas.
- Remove from heat, add cheese, and stir rapidly to incorporate. Season with salt to taste. Divide between individual serving bowls (for the dried chickpea version, look out for the garlic cloves and rosemary sprig; remove and discard them), and drizzle each serving with olive oil. Serve, passing extra grated cheese at the table.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 687 kcal, Carbohydrate 82 g, Cholesterol 18 mg, Fiber 12 g, Protein 28 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 985 mg, Sugar 9 g, Fat 26 g, ServingSize Serves 4, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
PASTA E CECI - PASTA WITH CHICKPEAS
What makes good food? Peasant food. Food that's hearty, stick to your ribs, simple, and filling. This dish fits the bill to a "T" and will even feed the pickiest eaters I know (and trust me, I know some picky ones). It's a nice change from 'everything's tomatoes and black olives and pork' rut of the usual 'Italian' fare. (NB: You can actually use any small or broken up pasta...or substitute orzo, alphabet pasta, stars, whatever you have in your pantry. I don't think broken up 'long' pasta works very well though).
Provided by ThatCaptJim
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 cups, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Add onion, celery, garlic, and rosemary in pan with olive oil and cook over gentle heat for 15-20 minutes, until the vegetables are very soft. Be careful not to caramelize them!
- Drain chickpeas in cold water and add them to pan, then cover with chicken stock. Cook over gentle heat for 30 minutes.
- Remove half the chickpeas and reserve in a bowl.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the remaining soup (or jush mash the chick peas up really well with a potato masher for a more rustic presentation).
- Return reserved chickpeas to pan, and add pasta. Cook gently until the chickpeas are tender and the pasta is cooked.
- If the soup is a little too thick, add small amounts of hot water until it's the consistency you like.
- Season with salt, pepper, vinegar, and fresh herbs. Serve with a good loaf of bread!
- Feel free to exchange the type of stock - this is equally good with beef or chicken instead of vegetable!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 403, Fat 9.5, SaturatedFat 1.3, Sodium 1476.4, Carbohydrate 66.9, Fiber 10.5, Sugar 1.6, Protein 13.6
PASTA E CECI (JAMIE OLIVER)
Make and share this Pasta E Ceci (Jamie Oliver) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by DrGaellon
Categories Beans
Time 1h
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat a large skillet or soup pot over medium-low heat, and add 2 tbsp olive oil. Saute the onion, celery, celery leaves, and garlic, covered, until soft and translucent, about 15 minutes.
- Add the rosemary, chickpeas and stock and bring to a gentle boil. Simmer for 20 minutes until the chickpeas are soft. Remove half the chickpeas with a slotted spoon, and purée the remaining soup in a blender, through a food mill, or with an immersion blender. Return the purée and reserved chickpeas to the pot, and add the pasta.
- Cook until the pasta is tender, adding boiling water if necessary to loosen. Season to taste with salt and pepper and the lemon juice. Serve with parsley or basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil.
Tips:
- Use dried chickpeas: Dried chickpeas are more flavorful and have a better texture than canned chickpeas. If you use canned chickpeas, rinse them well before using.
- Soak the chickpeas overnight: Soaking the chickpeas overnight will help them cook more evenly and quickly. If you don't have time to soak them overnight, you can quick-soak them by boiling them for 1 minute, then removing them from the heat and letting them sit for 1 hour.
- Use a flavorful broth: The broth you use to cook the chickpeas will add a lot of flavor to the dish. Use a broth that you enjoy the taste of, such as chicken broth, vegetable broth, or beef broth.
- Add vegetables: Vegetables add color, flavor, and nutrients to the dish. Some good vegetables to add to pasta e ceci include carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and kale.
- Season the dish well: Pasta e ceci is a simple dish, so it's important to season it well. Use salt, pepper, and other spices to taste.
- Serve with a side of bread or salad: Pasta e ceci is a hearty dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. Serve it with a side of bread or salad to complete the meal.
Conclusion:
Pasta e ceci is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover chickpeas. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.
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