Elbows With Chickpeas And Escarole Food

SPANISH-STYLE CHICKPEAS AND ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until slightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add the escarole in batches and cook until completely wilted, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in the chickpeas and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Stir in the cumin, pimenton, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and salt to taste. Serve.
• Copyright 2016 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.

WHOLE-GRAIN PASTA WITH CHICKPEAS AND ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to the package directions; add the escarole during the last 2 minutes, cover and do not stir. Remove the escarole with tongs; set aside. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Meanwhile, if you're using capers, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the capers and fry until crisp, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil to the skillet. Cook the garlic, parsley and red pepper flakes until the garlic toasts slightly, 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, chickpeas, a pinch of salt and the bay leaves. Cook until the tomatoes and chickpeas brown, about 6 minutes. Add the escarole and reserved tomato juice and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 4 more minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaves.
• Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the sauce; season with salt and pepper. (If the sauce is thick, add some reserved pasta water.) Stir in the cheese and top with fried capers, if using, and more cheese.

PASTA E FAGIOLI WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Add the onion, carrots and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start softening, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and rosemary and cook until the tomato paste darkens in color, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in 6 cups water, the chickpeas with their liquid, the parmesan rind, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Remove 1 cup of the soup (chickpeas, vegetables and broth) and puree in a blender, then return to the pot. (Alternatively, partially puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender.)
• Stir the pasta and escarole into the soup. Cook until the pasta is tender and the escarole is wilted, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the grated parmesan. Top each serving with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and more parmesan.

CHICKPEA PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, 1 to 2 minutes shy of the package directions. Reserve 1 1/4 cups pasta water, then drain.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Crumble in the sausage and cook until no longer pink, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the onion and cook until golden and wilted, about 4 minutes.
• Add the escarole, red pepper flakes and 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Cover and cook until the escarole has just wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Increase the heat to reduce the liquid in the skillet and thicken it slightly, about 1 minute.
• Add the pasta to the simmering sauce and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Toss well, adding a little more of the reserved pasta water if it seems dry. Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and Pecorino, toss and serve immediately.

PASTA E CECI (ITALIAN PASTA AND CHICKPEA STEW)

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.