Teresa's Recipes
Caldo Gallego - Spanish White Bean Soup
Caldo Gallego, a heartwarming and richly flavored traditional Spanish soup, hails from the verdant region of Galicia. This soup is a symphony of flavors, combining hearty white beans, succulent cured pork, earthy greens, and comforting potatoes. It's the perfect soul-soothing dish for a chilly evening, bringing the rustic Spanish countryside straight to your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 200g, diced Cured pork (chorizo or bacon)
- 1 large, finely chopped Onion
- 3 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 cup, soaked overnight White beans
- 2 large, diced Potatoes
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 2 cups Water
- 2 cups, chopped Greens (kale, collard greens, or turnip greens)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 6
- Dish Type: Soup
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Calories: 300
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 40g
- Protein: 15g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Sugar: 3g
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the diced cured pork and cook until it turns crispy and releases its fat.
- Add the onion and garlic to the pot and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Stir in the soaked white beans, diced potatoes, and paprika. Mix well to coat the ingredients in the flavorful oil.
- Pour in the chicken broth and water. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for 45 minutes, or until the beans and potatoes are tender.
- Add the chopped greens and continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes, until the greens are wilted and tender.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to distribute the seasonings.
- Serve the Caldo Gallego hot, garnished with a sprinkle of paprika or some extra greens. Enjoy the comforting taste of traditional Spanish cuisine!
Tips
- For a vegetarian version, omit the cured pork and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- The soup's flavor improves with time, making it a great dish to prepare ahead of time and reheat when needed.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a bit of heat.