Friday, June 20, 2008

Spiced Chickpea and Onion Soup

The theme for this month's No Croutons Required, hosted by Lisa from Lisa's Kitchen is legumes and we were asked to prepare either a salad or a soup that incorporates any legume we desire.

I've chosen to use chickpeas (or garbanzo bean) in a tomato based soup that is thick with slowly caramelised onions. There's a hint of spice in the form of harissa and a touch of green with a last minute addition of baby spinach and rocket (argula).


Spicy Chickpea and Onion Soup


Spicy Chickpea and Onion Soup

2 red onions, sliced finely
2 garlic cloves, sliced finely
1 teaspoon harissa (use more or less to taste)
400 grams canned diced tomatoes (or equivalent fresh tomatoes in season)
400 grams canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
handful rocket leaves
handful baby spinach leaves
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste


Heat some olive oil and a knob of butter in a saucepan over a low heat and once the butter has melted add the onions and garlic - stir and then gently sauté for a good 20 minutes or until the onions have softened and become golden.

Stir in the harissa and cook for a further 5 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and continue to simmer on a low heat for a further 10 minutes to allow the flavour to intensify.

Stir in the chickpeas and enough water or vegetable stock to cover the mixture. Simmer for 15 minutes - as the chickpeas are already cooked all you are doing is getting them up to temperature and absorbing the flavours.

Toss in a couple of handfuls of rocket and baby spinach - stir and then taste, adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.

The soup is now ready to serve.

Spicy Chickpea and Onion Soup


I've also whipped up some cheese and rocket filled pita breads - toasted in a sandwich press until the cheese is soft and runny, they make a delicious accompaniment to the soup.

Spicy Chickpea and Onion Soup

13 comments

  1. Yum! Its a shame my hubby doesn't like chickpeas (he says he doesn't anyway!) - I'll just have to make it for myself! I always have chickpeas and onions in so this is a good storecupboard soup!

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  2. What a great combination, chickpeas, tomato, and onion. Delicious!

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  3. This sounds just delicious! (Also very South Beach diet friendly!)

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  4. Delicious! I love chickpeas, but I have yet to try them in soups - I always put them in salads or omelettes.

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  5. AnonymousJune 20, 2008

    This does look wonderful! The rocket is an interesting addition.

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  6. Looks great - I love chickpeas!

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  7. Just stunning! Chickpeas are my favorite. Thanks very much for your entry.

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  8. Hi Beth - your husband sounds like Paalo but I find if there's enough other flavours in the dish, he will eat those chickpeas

    Thanks VB!

    Thanks Kalyn - that's a bonus!

    Thanks Angelica - chickpeas are really nice in soups.

    Thanks FK - the rocket has a peppery element so it offers something extra in the soup

    Thanks Magpie!

    Thanks Lisa - it was fun to take part!

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  9. AnonymousJune 21, 2008

    Your soups looks delicious, beautiful colours. I also love that cheesy tortilla!

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  10. AnonymousJune 21, 2008

    The colour of that soup is amazing!

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  11. Beautiful pictures of a very very tasty sounding soup. Bookmarked!

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  12. It might be a little hot for soup where i am right now but it is also very rainy at night which is the perfect excuse for soup. The colors are gorgeous!

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  13. Thanks Helen!

    Thanks Tim!

    Thanks Wendy!

    Thanks Helene - it's nice that even in winter you can get vivid colours in your food.

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