Ingredients
Directions
- In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the chopped onion, leek, and diced potatoes. Season lightly with salt and pepper, and sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Gradually stir in water while cooking, then add the chickpeas and collard stalks. Add a little more water if needed, cover the pot, and bring to a gentle boil.
- Once the soup is boiling, add the diced carrots and sliced mushrooms, then continue cooking until the potatoes are tender and the soup thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Stir in the torn collard leaf and chopped parsley. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Notes
For a comforting meal, this creamy chickpea soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread or garlic bread—great for dipping. If you’d like to make it heartier, serve it over a small portion of brown rice or quinoa. For contrast, a fresh green salad or some pickled vegetables add brightness and crunch.
In Brazil, soups like this are often enjoyed with a warm, crusty pão francês (Brazilian baguette). For a more indulgent option, try serving it alongside pão de queijo (cheese bread), which complements the soup’s creamy texture with a lightly cheesy bite.
For Brazilian drink pairings, I’d suggest: 1) suco de laranja fresco (fresh orange juice) – bright, slightly acidic, and refreshing, it balances the creamy, hearty flavors of the soup; or 2) chá mate gelado (iced mate tea) – subtly bitter and earthy, it complements the richness of the chickpeas and vegetables without overpowering them.
English Idioms
- A stew of things / a mixed bag / a hodgepodge – sometimes loosely connected with soups, meaning a combination of various things (more figurative). ✰ “The book is a stew of ideas, some good and some confusing.” (O livro é uma salada de ideias, algumas boas e outras confusas.)
- All in the same soup – facing the same problem or situation. ✰ “We’re all in the same soup trying to meet this deadline.” (Estamos todos na mesma situação tentando cumprir esse prazo.)
- From soup to nuts – from beginning to end; the whole process. ✰ “The event planning was handled soup to nuts by the new coordinator.” (O planejamento do evento foi feito do princípio ao fim pelo novo coordenador.)
- In the soup – in trouble or in a difficult situation. ✰ “He forgot to file his taxes and now he’s really in the soup.” (Ele esqueceu de declarar seus impostos e agora está realmente está frito.)
- Too many cooks spoil the soup – too many people trying to manage something can ruin it. ✰ “We can’t have everyone suggesting changes; too many cooks spoil the soup.” (Não podemos deixar que todos sugiram mudanças; cozinheiro demais entorna o caldo.)