When I was about 3 years old I had a babysitter from Galicia that used to make me this dish. I remember going home and bragging about the delicious food I had every day.
Caldo Gallego is a white bean soup from Spain but for me this is way more than just another bean soup. I almost feel like the character in the Ratatouille movie when he took the first bite and that just took him back to his childhood… I know this sounds really silly but that’s how I feel when I eat this soup. I think that’s why Ratatouille is one of my favorite movies.
I’ve been trying to remember who gave me this recipe a few years ago. There are many other recipes online but this one is a great one.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 cups low sodium chicken stock
- 2 small smoked ham hock
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 slice Spanish chorizo
- 1 smoked sausage, like Polish Kielbasa, sliced
- 1 lb white cannellini beans, rinsed and soaked in cold water overnight.
- 4 small potatoes, peeled and diced into small cubes
- 2 turnips, peeled and diced into small cubes
- 3 cups diced kale, chard or turnip greens
Heat olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add sliced sausage and chorizo and cook for 3-4 minutes.
Add chicken stock, ham hock and drained beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let it simmer uncovered 1 hour. Add potatoes, turnips and kale and cook for another 1/2 hour.
If the soup gets too thick you can add a little water.
