Name: Slow-braised chickpeas with cavolo nero
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 150 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 500 gm dried chickpeas, soaked overnight in cold water, drained (2½ cups); 250 ml extra-virgin olive oil (1 cup); 50 gm mild pancetta, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 1 onion, finely chopped; 5 garlic cloves, finely crushed in a mortar and pestle; 750 ml chicken or vegetable stock (3 cups); 400 gm canned Italian whole peeled tomatoes, crushed; 2 tbsp finely chopped oregano; Pinch of chilli flakes; 1 bunch cavolo nero, coarsely chopped

Slow-braised chickpeas with cavolo nero

Because slow cooking can soothe the soul.

Serves 8

Prep

30M

Cook

Total

2H 30M

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To transform this recipe into a hearty bread and chickpea soup, add extra stock, spoon over crusty day-old bread and add a scattering of parmesan. You’ll need to begin this recipe a day ahead to soak the chickpeas.

Ingredients

500 gm dried chickpeas, soaked overnight in cold water, drained (2½ cups)

250 ml extra-virgin olive oil (1 cup)

50 gm mild pancetta, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

1 onion, finely chopped

5 garlic cloves, finely crushed in a mortar and pestle

750 ml chicken or vegetable stock (3 cups)

400 gm canned Italian whole peeled tomatoes, crushed

2 tbsp finely chopped oregano

Pinch of chilli flakes

1 bunch cavolo nero, coarsely chopped

Method

Main

1.Combine chickpeas and enough cold water to cover generously in a saucepan (do not salt water), bring to the boil over medium heat, reduce heat to low and simmer until just tender (20-30 minutes). Drain and set aside.

2.Meanwhile, preheat oven to 150C. Heat half the oil in a casserole over medium heat, add pancetta, celery, onion and garlic and stir occasionally until just tender (20-30 minutes). Add chickpeas, stock, tomato, oregano and chilli, season well to taste, cover and braise in oven until chickpeas are tender (1 hour). Stir in cavolo nero and braise until cavolo nero is very tender (30 minutes). Serve hot.