Tunisian Spiced Chickpea Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) dried chickpeas, soaked overnight 2 cups (400g) dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon harissa paste 1 teaspoon harissa paste
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 6 cups (1.4L) vegetable broth 6 cups (1.4L) vegetable broth
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish
• Crusty bread, for serving Crusty bread, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 52g, 10g
• Protein: 14g
• Fiber: 12g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the soaked chickpeas, cumin, coriander, harissa paste, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir well to coat the chickpeas with the spices.
4. 4.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 1 hour or until the chickpeas are tender.
5. 5.
   Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, blend about half of the soup until smooth. This will help thicken the soup while still leaving some texture.
6. 6.
   Stir in the lemon juice and adjust the seasoning if needed.
7. 7.
   Serve the Tunisian Spiced Chickpea Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley, and accompanied by crusty bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chickpeas — Soaking the chickpeas overnight helps to soften them and reduce the cooking time. Alternatively, you can use canned chickpeas, but make sure to rinse them well before using.
• Harissa paste — Adjust the amount of harissa paste according to your spice preference. Add more for a spicier soup or reduce it for a milder flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a creamier texture, blend the entire soup instead of just half.
• Customize the toppings by adding a dollop of Greek yogurt, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of smoked paprika.
• Serve the soup with a side of olives and pickled vegetables for an authentic Tunisian experience.
• If you prefer a thinner consistency, add more vegetable broth or water while cooking.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the Tunisian Spiced Chickpea Soup hot in individual bowls. Accompany it with a basket of warm crusty bread for dipping and sopping up the flavorful broth.

Presentation advice

Garnish each bowl of soup with a sprig of fresh parsley for a pop of color. Serve the soup in rustic ceramic bowls to enhance the traditional Tunisian feel.