Next Generation Life Fitness

Chickpea and Spinach Soup with Shrimp, Almonds and Garlic

Preptime: 15 min.
Cooktime: 40 min.

Calories: 254
Carbs: 30g
Fat: 11g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 13g
Satfat: 1g
Sodium: 754mg

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups garbanzo beans, rinsed and soaked over night in cold water and refrigerated (or 3 cups canned, drained and rinsed)
1 ham hock, optional
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, coarsely chopped, about 2 1/2 cups
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 small Russet potato, peeled and sliced, about 2/3-1 cup
5 cups chicken stock or more if needed
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons butter or oil
6 cups spinach, cut into thin strips and well washed
6 tablespoons sliced, toasted almonds, coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
18 medium shrimp, shelled, deveined and poached in wine (or more, if this is for dinner)

Directions:
1. Drain the soaked garbanzos, rinse well and put into a medium saucepan. Cover with fresh cold water, add the optional ham hock. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for about an hour or until tender. Drain the cooked garbanzos and set aside. Discard the ham hock.

2. Heat 1 Tbs. olive oil in a large saucepan over moderate heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for about 10-15 minutes or until translucent. Add the garlic and stir for a minute or two. Then add the sliced potato, half the garbanzos, and the chicken stock and bring up to a boil. Simmer and cook until the potato and beans are falling apart, about 20 minutes. Puree the soup in a blender. Season with salt and pepper. Just before serving, bring the soup up to a simmer. It will have thickened so thin it with more stock or water. In a very large saute pan, heat 2 tsp. of oil and wilt the spinach. Add the pureed soup. Stir in the remaining whole cooked garbanzos.

3. In a small saute pan, over a medium heat, warm 1 tsp. of oil. Saute the almonds with the teaspoon of finely minced garlic. Cook a few minutes and add these to the soup. Finally, add the cooked chopped prawns and warm through. Adjust seasoning. Serve at once.