Chickpea Stew With Orzo and Mustard Greens

A complex and colorful chickpea stew, this is rich with vegetables, olive oil and Parmesan cheese. You can vary the vegetables to use what you’ve got. Here, I keep to the basics, adding carrots for sweetness, fennel or celery for depth, cherry tomatoes for looks. Tender greens, wilted into the bubbling mixture at the end, are optional, but they do add a bright, almost herbal note. I particularly love using baby mustard greens, which are pleasantly peppery. But spinach, arugula and kale work well, too.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for drizzling
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 small fennel bulb or 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
•  Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary(optional)
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth (or water)
• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• ¾ cup roughly chopped cherry or grape tomatoes
• ½ cup whole-wheat or regular orzo
• 1 quart loosely packed baby mustard greens or spinach (about 5 ounces)
•  Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
•  Chopped scallions, for garnish (optional)
• ¼ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, more as needed

•  

  Nutritional Information

PREPARATION

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, fennel or celery, and onion. Cook until tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper and rosemary, if using, and cook another 2 minutes. Pour in the broth, if using, or water, plus an additional 2 cups water and bring to a boil.
2. Once the mixture is boiling, add the chickpeas, tomatoes and orzo. Reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid. Simmer 10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender. Uncover and stir in the greens, letting them simmer until soft, about 2 minutes.
3. Add more water if you want the mixture to be more souplike, and season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and top with chopped scallions (if desired), grated cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.
4. http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015767-chickpea-stew-with-orzo-and-mustard-greens
5.