Chickpea Delight: Authentic Moroccan Chickpea Soup
Chickpea Delight is an authentic Moroccan soup that promises to warm your heart and soul during the chilly winter months. Rooted in tradition, this delightful dish embodies the essence of Moroccan cuisine, known for its robust flavors and fresh ingredients. Each spoonful offers a comforting blend of hearty chickpeas, aromatic spices, and vibrant herbs, bringing the rich cultural history of Morocco to your table. This authentic recipe was lovingly handed down from my housemaid Nasiha, who has spent a lifetime perfecting her craft in Moroccan kitchens. To create this soul-soothing soup, we recommend using dried chickpeas for the best texture and flavor, but in a pinch, feel free to opt for canned. Enjoy this simple yet deeply satisfying meal with some crusty bread for a real taste of Morocco. Ideal for gatherings or cozy family dinners, this soup is a testament to how traditional cooking can offer comfort and nourishment.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried garbanzo beans
1 cup (soaked overnight)
Water
8 cups (none)
Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (none)
Onions
2 cups (chopped)
Tomatoes
2 (peeled and diced (optional))
Garlic cloves
8 (minced)
Hot pepper
1 small (chopped finely)
Fresh coriander
1/2 cup (leaf chopped finely)
Fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup (chopped finely)
Salt
2 teaspoons (none)
Fresh black pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
Lemon
1 (juiced)
Sweet paprika
1 teaspoon (none)
Ground turmeric
1 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by rinsing the soaked chickpeas under cold water. In a large soup pot, combine the chickpeas with 8 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then cover and reduce the heat to medium. Let this simmer for an hour, allowing the chickpeas to soften.
2
While the chickpeas are cooking, heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, minced garlic, and finely chopped hot pepper. Sauté the mixture gently until the onions become translucent and just start to take on color, around 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid burning.
3
Once the onions are ready, combine them with the partially cooked chickpeas in the soup pot. Add the tomatoes (if using), chopped coriander, flat-leaf parsley, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, paprika, and turmeric. Stir well to integrate all the flavors.
4
Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for an additional hour, stirring occasionally. Keep a close watch on the chickpeas; they should become soft, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender, without losing their shape.
5
Once cooked to perfection, taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chickpea Delight?
Chickpea Delight is an authentic Moroccan soup featuring hearty chickpeas, aromatic spices, and vibrant herbs, traditionally served during winter months.
Is this Moroccan chickpea soup recipe authentic?
Yes, the recipe is rooted in tradition and was handed down from Nasiha, a cook with a lifetime of experience in Moroccan kitchens.
Should I use dried or canned chickpeas?
Dried chickpeas are recommended for the best texture and flavor, though canned chickpeas can be used if you are short on time.
Do the chickpeas need to be soaked?
Yes, the dried garbanzo beans should be soaked overnight before starting the recipe.
How much water is needed for this soup?
The recipe calls for 8 cups of water to cook the chickpeas.
How long do the chickpeas need to simmer initially?
The chickpeas should simmer for approximately one hour until they begin to soften.
What vegetables are sautéed for the base?
The base consists of chopped onions, minced garlic, and finely chopped hot pepper.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the onions for about 5 to 7 minutes until they are translucent and just starting to take on color.
Is the hot pepper required?
The recipe includes one small hot pepper, finely chopped, to provide traditional Moroccan flavor.
Are tomatoes a necessary ingredient?
Tomatoes are optional in this recipe; if used, they should be peeled and diced.
What fresh herbs are used in Chickpea Delight?
The recipe uses a half cup each of finely chopped fresh coriander and fresh flat-leaf parsley.
Which spices are included in the soup?
The soup is seasoned with sweet paprika, ground turmeric, salt, and fresh black pepper.
When should I add the lemon juice?
Lemon juice is added halfway through the process, when combining the sautéed aromatics with the chickpeas.
What is the total simmering time for the soup?
The soup simmers for a total of two hours: one hour for the chickpeas alone and another hour after adding the other ingredients.
What is the desired final texture of the chickpeas?
The chickpeas should be soft, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender, while still maintaining their shape.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, Chickpea Delight is a vegetarian soup.
Is this soup vegan-friendly?
Based on the ingredients like vegetable oil, chickpeas, and herbs, this recipe is naturally vegan.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
It is best enjoyed hot with some crusty bread for a complete Moroccan meal.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
This flavorful soup requires 8 minced garlic cloves.
What type of oil should I use for sautéing?
The recipe recommends using 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
Can I garnish the soup?
Yes, you can garnish the finished soup with additional fresh herbs if desired.
Is this soup good for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as a soul-soothing dish ideal for warming up during chilly winter months.
How much turmeric is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric.
Is the paprika used sweet or hot?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika.
How much onion is used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 2 cups of chopped onions.
What should I do if the soup needs more flavor at the end?
Once cooked, you should taste the soup and adjust the salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed.
How much coriander and parsley are required?
You will need 1/2 cup of finely chopped coriander and 1/2 cup of chopped flat-leaf parsley.
Can I make this soup in a single pot?
While the chickpeas boil in a large soup pot, the aromatics are sautéed in a separate skillet before being combined.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as an easy recipe suitable for family dinners or gatherings.
What is the main protein source in this dish?
The main protein source is garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas.