Cerena's One-Pot Chickpea, Kale & Tortellini Soup

A hearty, one-pot soup for chilly nights.

When my mom asked me to share a recipe for the month, this soup was the first thing that came to mind.

Soup season is officially here, and in my household that means comforting meals on cold winter nights. There’s nothing better than a steaming bowl of soup when it’s cold outside. Since I’m a longtime fan of chickpeas, kale and pasta, I decided to bring them together in one delicious, satisfying soup.

This recipe is simple, quick and made entirely in one pot. It’s hearty, easy to customize, and pairs perfectly with crusty bread or crackers. I hope you enjoy it, and I’d love to hear if you give it a try.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1/2 yellow onion, diced

• 2 celery stalks, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, chopped

• 4 cups chicken broth

• 3 cups kale, stems removed and roughly chopped

• 9 ounces tortellini

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 2 eggs

• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and celery, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened.

2. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the tortellini and kale, and cook for about 2 minutes, until the kale has softened and the tortellini is cooked through.

3. While the tortellini is cooking, whisk together the eggs and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Slowly add one ladle of hot broth while whisking continuously to temper the eggs. This step is important so the eggs don’t scramble.

4. Reduce the soup to a gentle simmer. Slowly stir in the lemon-egg mixture, then add the chickpeas and dill. Stir gently and serve warm.

Notes

• This soup is best served right away, but leftovers reheat well the next day.

• Feel free to customize by adding extra vegetables or using your favorite type of tortellini.

I hope this soup brings a little warmth to your winter. If you make it, I would love to hear what you think or how you make it your own.