The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in DarknessStart CookingComment on this storyCommentBy Joe Yonan
Cacio e Pepe’s star ingredients—pecorino cheese, black pepper, butter, and starchy pasta cooking water—prove they can create magic in a soup, too. As Ravinder Bhogal writes in her beautiful cookbook Comfort & Joy, this simple but wonderfully flavorful soup—filled with kale, chickpeas, and quick-cooking orzo—is “like a hearty, cheesy pasta e fagioli.”
Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. The soup will thicken during storage as the orzo absorbs liquid; As it warms up, stir in water to thin it out.
Substitutions: No Pecorino Romano? >> Use Parmesan.
Kale >> Swiss chard, mustard greens or spinach.
Chickpeas >> Cannellini or other white beans.
Orzo >> Ditalini.
Adapted from Comfort & Joy by Ravinder Bhogal (Bloomsbury, 2023).
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Ingredients
measuring cup
Servings: 4-6 (makes 10 cups)
Directions
Step 1
Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened but not browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and lemon zest and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
step 2
Pour in the broth, increase the heat to medium and bring to the boil. Add kale, chickpeas and orzo. Reduce the heat to medium so that the liquid is simmering and cook the orzo until tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
step 3
Add cheese and butter and stir vigorously (without splashing) until butter is melted, then add pepper and salt. Scrape the bottom of the pot to avoid too much cheese sticking. some things are inevitable. Taste and season with more salt and/or pepper as needed.
Step 4
Divide between serving bowls, add a little more cheese and pepper to each bowl and serve hot.
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Nutritional Information
Per serving (1 2/3 cups), based on 6
Calories
533
carbohydrates
62g
cholesterol
56 mg
Fat
24g
fiber
9g
protein
19g
Saturated fatty acids
14g
sodium
796 mg
Sugar
11g
This analysis is an estimate based on the available ingredients and this preparation. It should not replace the advice of a nutritionist or nutritionist.
Adapted from Comfort & Joy by Ravinder Bhogal (Bloomsbury, 2023).
Tested by Joe Yonan.
Published on October 1, 2023