Chickpea and Leek Soup

from Jamie Oliver

This soup sounds simple, and sounds boring, but it is DELICIOUS! My family loves this soup!

12 ounces chickpeas, soaked overnight, refrigerated
1 medium potato peeled
5 to 6 leeks (I can't find small ones, so just use one large one), finely sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 ounce knob butter
2 cloves garlic, finely sliced
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pints chicken or vegetable stock
2 handfuls parmesan cheese, grated
Extra-virgin olive oil

Rinse the soaked chickpeas, cover with water, and cook with potato until tender. (I eliminate this step and just use canned chickpeas) Remove the outer skin of the leeks, slice lengthways from the root up, wash carefully and slice finely.

Warm a thick-bottomed pan, and add the tablespoon of oil and the knob of butter. Add the leeks and garlic to the pan, and sweat gently with a good pinch of salt until tender and sweet. Add the drained chickpeas and potato and cook for 1 minute. Add about 2/3 of the stock and simmer for 15 minutes. (This is when I cook the potato)
Puree half of the soup in a food processor, and leave the other half chunky. This gives a lovely smooth comforting feel but also keeps a bit of texture. Now, add enough of the remaining stock to achieve the consistency you like. Check for seasoning, and add Parmesan, to taste, to round off the flavors.

You can drizzle more olive oil on top when you serve it, and add more parmesan as desired.
Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes.