We love chickpeas so this recipe from Chef April Bloomfield of the Spotted Pig quot;gastro-pubquot; in Greenwich, Manhattan soon became one of our favorites.
I love this soup. I like to have the vegetables cut medium it makes is hardier. But if you prefer smooth you can always chop smaller or puree. I also omit the bay leaf because I don't like bay leaf. I also use a ham hock from left over Easter or Christmas dinner.
Roasting the tomatoes, garlic and onions makes this soup especially flavorful. After the veggies are roasted, all you need is 40 minutes and you've got a robust, rustic-style soup.