Authentic Tunisian Lablabi: Spiced Chickpea Soup
Lablabi is a comforting and flavorful Tunisian chickpea soup that captures the essence of North African cuisine. This version, inspired by cherished family memories, combines tender chickpeas with aromatic spices and rich flavors, giving you a warm bowl of goodness. The soup is excellent on chilly nights or as a hearty meal. You can customize it to your liking by serving it with a drizzle of lemon juice and olive oil, or you can enhance its richness by sautéing garlic and vegetables before adding them to the mix. Serve with crusty bread, hard-boiled eggs, or pan-fried fish for an authentic experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried garbanzo beans or canned chickpeas
2 cups (Soaked overnight (if using dried) or drained and rinsed (if using canned).)
Garlic cloves
4-6 (Minced.)
Harissa
1 tablespoon (Ready to use.)
Cumin
1 tablespoon (Ground.)
Salt
to taste (For seasoning.)
Lemon
1 (Juiced.)
Olive oil
6 tablespoons (Ready to use.)
Day-old bread
3 slices (Broken into small pieces.)
Instructions
1
If using dried garbanzo beans, wash them thoroughly and soak overnight in plenty of water.
2
The next day, drain and rinse the chickpeas. In a large soup pot, cover the soaked chickpeas with fresh water, bring to a rolling boil, and cook for 10 to 20 minutes until tender. If using canned chickpeas, simply drain and rinse two pounds of chickpeas, then heat them in four cups of water.
3
Once the chickpeas are tender, add minced garlic, harissa, ground cumin, and salt to taste. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
4
Before serving, add the freshly squeezed lemon juice, 6 tablespoons of olive oil, and broken pieces of day-old bread to the soup. Stir gently to combine everything.
5
Serve hot in bowls, garnishing each serving with additional harissa and a drizzle of olive oil if desired. Enjoy the heat and zest, and feel free to accompany it with toppings like hard-boiled eggs or pan-fried fish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lablabi?
Lablabi is a comforting and flavorful Tunisian chickpea soup that captures the essence of North African cuisine.
Is this Tunisian Lablabi recipe vegetarian?
Yes, the base recipe is vegetarian and can be made vegan if you omit toppings like hard-boiled eggs or fish.
Can I use canned chickpeas for this recipe?
Yes, you can use two pounds of canned chickpeas; simply drain and rinse them, then heat them in four cups of water.
How do I prepare dried garbanzo beans for the soup?
Wash them thoroughly and soak them overnight in plenty of water, then drain and rinse before cooking in fresh water.
What gives Lablabi its signature spice?
The heat and depth of flavor come from harissa, a North African chili paste, and ground cumin.
How long does it take to cook soaked chickpeas?
After soaking overnight, the chickpeas should be brought to a rolling boil and cooked for 10 to 20 minutes until tender.
What kind of bread is used in Lablabi?
Authentic Lablabi uses day-old bread, typically broken into small pieces and added to the soup before serving.
Is Lablabi a healthy meal choice?
Yes, it is a healthy dish rich in plant-based protein from chickpeas and healthy fats from olive oil.
How much garlic is included in this recipe?
This recipe calls for 4 to 6 minced garlic cloves to provide a robust aromatic base.
Can I customize the spiciness of the soup?
Absolutely, you can adjust the amount of harissa added to the pot or garnish individual bowls with more or less paste.
What are traditional garnishes for Lablabi?
Common garnishes include a drizzle of olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, additional harissa, and hard-boiled eggs.
Is Lablabi suitable for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as an excellent meal for chilly nights due to its warm, hearty nature and spicy kick.
Why is bread added directly into the soup?
The bread absorbs the flavorful broth, adding texture and thickness to the soup for a more satisfying meal.
What can I serve with Lablabi for a complete meal?
For an authentic experience, serve it with crusty bread, hard-boiled eggs, or even pan-fried fish.
How much olive oil is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 6 tablespoons of olive oil, which is added near the end of the cooking process.
Can I sauté vegetables before adding them to the soup?
Yes, you can enhance the richness by sautéing garlic and other vegetables before mixing them with the chickpeas.
What type of cumin is used?
The recipe specifies one tablespoon of ground cumin to provide an earthy, aromatic flavor.
Does this recipe require fresh lemon?
Yes, the juice of one fresh lemon is added before serving to provide a bright, zesty contrast to the spices.
Is Lablabi considered an easy recipe to make?
Yes, it is categorized as an easy recipe, especially when using canned chickpeas for convenience.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
While not explicitly stated, the use of two pounds of chickpeas suggests a hearty portion for a family meal.
Is Lablabi naturally gluten-free?
The base soup is gluten-free, but it is traditionally served with bread; you can omit the bread to keep it gluten-free.
What is harissa?
Harissa is a spicy North African paste made from roasted red peppers, Baklouti peppers, and various herbs and spices.
Can I make Lablabi ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chickpea base in advance, but it is best to add the bread and lemon juice just before serving.
What is the role of cumin in Tunisian cuisine?
Cumin is a staple spice in Tunisia that adds warmth and earthiness to legume-based dishes like Lablabi.
How do I know when the chickpeas are done?
The chickpeas are done when they are soft and tender to the bite but still hold their shape.
Is it necessary to soak dried chickpeas?
Yes, soaking dried chickpeas overnight ensures they cook evenly and become sufficiently tender.
Can I use extra-virgin olive oil?
Yes, using high-quality extra-virgin olive oil will enhance the rich flavor of the finished soup.
What texture should the soup have?
The soup has a hearty texture with whole chickpeas in a thin, spiced broth that is thickened slightly by the added bread.
Can I add more salt than the recipe suggests?
The recipe suggests adding salt to taste, allowing you to season it according to your own preference.
What is the origin of this soup?
Lablabi is a traditional Tunisian dish, deeply rooted in the culinary heritage of North Africa.