ABRUZZESE CHESTNUT AND LENTIL SOUP

ABRUZZESE CHESTNUT AND LENTIL SOUP image

Number Of Ingredients 12

½ pound dried chesnuts
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 plump garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
3 sprigs fresh thyme
3 sprigs fresh marjoram
2 bay leaves
1 cup canned Italian plum tomatoes, preferably San Marzano, crushed by hand
4 quart water
8 large fresh basil leaves
1 pound lentils
2 tablespoons kosher salt
freshly grated pecorino

Steps:

For this soup you will need a heavy-bottomed soup pot or saucepan, 6-quart capacity or larger. Rinse the dried chestnuts, and put them in a bowl with cold water to cover by at least 4 inches. Let soak in a cool place for 8 hours or overnight, and drain them when you start cooking the soup. Pour the olive oil into the soup pot, set over medium-high heat, and drop in the crushed garlic cloves. Cook for a couple of minutes, until they're sizzling and lightly colored, then drop in the herb sprigs and bay leaves, and cook for a minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, bring the juices to a boil, and cook for a minute or two, to concentrate the flavors. Pour in the water, stir well, add the basil leaves and drained chestnuts, and cover the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then set the cover ajar and cook at a gentle boil, reducing gradually, until the chestnuts have softened and have started to crumble, about 1 1/2 hours. Rinse the lentils, and stir them into the soup along with the salt. Return to a full boil, and cook, cover ajar, for 30 minutes or more, until the lentils are tender (timing depends on lentil size and variety) and the broth is flavorful. Ladle the soup into warm bowls. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of freshly grated cheese over each portion, and finish with a swirl of excellent olive oil. Serve right away, with more grated cheese at the table.