Spicy White Bean and ‘Chorizo’ Soup
Description
This soup is pure comfort in a bowl, deeply savoury, rich with spice, and full of body from creamy white beans and smoky ‘chorizo’. A medley of vegetables forms the aromatic base, while kale brings freshness and contrast to the hearty broth. Best served hot with a chunk of crusty bread, this dish is as good for dinner as it is for next-day leftovers. It’s warming, filling, and unmistakably bold.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 300 g spicy ‘chorizo’, casing removed and crumbled/diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 75 g mushrooms, finely chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 120 ml dry white wine
- 1 litre vegetable stock
- 2 2 400g tins white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 small bunch kale or cavolo nero
- hard cheese or nutritional yeast, to garnish (optional)
- Red pepper flakes, to serve
Instructions
- 1 Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based pan over medium-high heat.
- 2
Crumble the ‘chorizo’ into the pan and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and slightly crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove it and set aside. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of oil.- 3
Add the onion to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.- 4
Stir in the garlic, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Cook for another 3–4 minutes until softened. Season with salt and pepper.- 5
Pour in the wine and scrape up any browned bits from the base of the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes until the wine has reduced by half.- 6
Add the vegetable stock and beans to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.- 7
Return the cooked 'chorizo' to the pot and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.- 8
Stir in the kale and cook for a final 2 minutes, just until wilted.- 9
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with cheese or nutritional yeast and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Serve hot, ideally with warm crusty bread on the side. - 2