So delicious and soul satisfying with the flavors from the mountains of Spain.
Serve 4
4 tbsp olive oil
1 large Spanish onion, diced
1 medium carrot , diced,
1 stick of celery, peeled and sliced thinly
5 oz mild Spanish chorizo, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 tsp ground cumin (I roast my own)
1 1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 small dried red chiles, crushed
2 tomatoes, fresh or tinned, roughly chopped
1lb cooked, peeled chestnuts, vacuum packed, roughly chopped
20 saffron threads infused into 4 tbsp boiling water
2.2 pints water or chicken broth
sea salt and black pepper
In a large saucepan heat the olive oil and fry the onion, celery, carrot, chorizo and a pinch of salt.
Fry for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until everything caramelizes and you get a good brown color.
This will give the soup a wonderfully rich color and flavor.
Now add the garlic, cumin, thyme and chile and cook for 1 more minute, followed by the tomato and after about 2 more minutes, the chestnuts.
Give everything a good stir then add the saffron infused liquid and the water or stock and cook for another 10 minutes.
Remove from the heat and mash by hand with a potato masher until almost smooth but still leaving some texture.
Season with salt and pepper and serve.