Catalan Chickpea and Sausage Stew

Name: Catalan Chickpea and Sausage Stew
Ingredients: 1 pound chickpeas, soaked in 2 quarts water for 6 hours or overnight, and drained; 1 bay leaf; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1/2 pound soft Spanish chorizo; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 medium green or red pepper, chopped; 2 plump garlic cloves, minced; 1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes, lightly drained; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 dried cayenne pepper, or 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes, to taste