White bean and escarole soup with chorizo is a hearty, one pot meal. Only 7 ingredients, big flavors, and just enough spice. Well, everyone, it’s happened: I’m the one with a colicky baby. Deep down, I always thought that it would never be me. I had assumed that people with fussy babies were doing something wrong–what, of course, I couldn’t tell you, but I knew that, as a pediatrician, I would never make those mistakes. Wrong wrong wrong. So wrong. I apologize, people of the world, who I wrongfully judged. My baby, sadly, is one of those fussy babies, and it’s so much harder to manage than I had ever imagined.
What does this fussy (and simultaneously amazing and adorable) baby mean for my cooking? I’ve actually been able to spend a lot of time cooking, since I can wear her in a baby carrier while doing it. However, my photography and blogging have suffered. It turns out that my fussy baby does NOT like to sit on the couch with me while I type. I have all these great recipes to share with you, but can’t seem to get to the computer to make it happen. Until now, that is. My lovely husband is downstairs, bouncing around my bundle of joy while watching football, and I’m reclining on my bed, rewatching Downton Abbey for the 5th (or 10th) time, typing away. We all need a little break now and then, and this is my break.
One of the great meals I’ve made a few times in the last month of baby fussiness was this hearty soup. Yeah, yeah, I love soup, I make soups all winter long, I know. I post tons of soups. But it’s so good! I have to share it. I don’t use much chorizo (though seem to always post when I do), but chorizo works so well in this recipe, imparting a garlicky spice into the soup. I also love any excuse to add leafy greens into whatever I’m cooking, and escarole is something fairly new to me; while it seems bitter when raw, it mellows out when cooked, complementing the chorizo and white beans quite nicely (though I’m sure kale would work well here, also). The white beans, are…well…white beans. What’s not to like? They’re creamy and mild, taking on the rest of the soup’s flavors. Yummy. If that doesn’t convince you to make this soup, here are some promises I can make:
- This soup is delicious.
- It’s hearty, and could definitely be served as lunch or dinner.
- It has only 7 ingredients if you don’t count water, salt, and pepper (which you shouldn’t, because we all have them).
- It’s pretty budget friendly.
- And finally: this soup can be made while wearing a baby in a baby carrier. True story.
Make sure you brown the chorizo well, as it is in this step that so much of the flavors develop.
White Bean and Escarole Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 carrot diced
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 chorizo link about 1/2 lb, large diced
- 2 14 oz cans reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 head escarole washed and roughly chopped
- 1 14.5 oz can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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In a 4 or 5 qt pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes.
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Add the carrot and onion, and stir, cooking for 2-3 minutes.
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Add the chorizo, and brown, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes.
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Add the chicken broth, water, escarole, and beans, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20-30 minutes.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with crusty bread.
Valerie says
Looks great! I can’t wait to make this soon!
Diana says
Thank you, Valerie! I hope you enjoy!
Tahleen says
My mom has made this like four times and loves it. Finally trying it tonight!
Diana says
Woooooot! Glad she likes it. Hope it works out well for you, too!!