Cranberry Bean Soup Recipe
A soulful bowl of brothy beans
On Iron Chef America, Jose Garces has proven himself a master of Latin flavors. But at his newest spot, JG Domestic in Philadelphia, he keeps the focus on ingredients that were born in the USA. This recipe for cranberry bean soup gives the pretty, homegrown legume a starring role. Buttery, tender beans swim in a garlic-and-chorizo-infused broth while confetti-like brussels sprouts leaves cook just long enough to become sweet but still retain their bright green color. As the days shorten and cooler weather takes hold, it's hard to imagine anything more appealing.
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Recipe adapted from Jose Garces, JG Domestic, Philadelphia
Cranberry Bean Soup
Chef Jose Garces's recipe for cranberry bean soup from JG Domestic in Philadelphia
servings
4
to 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
- 1 cup diced dry-cured chorizo sausage (about 5 ounces)
- ½ medium onion, diced (about ½ cup)
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 8 ounces dried cranberry beans (1⅓ cups)*
- 8 cups chicken stock (preferably homemade)
- 1 cup brussels sprouts, trimmed and leaves separated
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup garlic sausage, sliced into thin rounds (about 1 link)
Directions
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine 1 tablespoon of the canola oil and the chorizo and cook over medium heat until the chorizo has rendered its fat and crisped slightly, about 10 minutes. Add the onion and cook until it has softened and turned translucent, about 10 minutes; add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes longer.
- Add the chicken stock and cranberry beans and increase the heat to high. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Simmer, covered, until the beans are tender, about 2 hours. Add the brussels sprouts and cook for 10 minutes longer, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
- While the brussels sprouts cook, add the remaining tablespoon of canola oil to a skillet and cook the sausage rounds, turning once, over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Ladle the soup into bowls and top each with a few slices of sausage. Serve immediately. * Note: At his restaurant, Garces uses fresh cranberry beans, which you may find this time of year at the farmers' market. If you want to use them instead of the dried beans called for here, use 2 cups shelled beans and reduce the simmering time by 30 minutes.