Hearty Mediterranean Lamb and Chickpea Lentil Soup
Warm up with this Hearty Mediterranean Lamb and Chickpea Lentil Soup, a comforting dish filled with tender chunks of lamb, protein-packed chickpeas, and nutritious lentils. This hearty soup is not only rich in flavor but also offers a delightful blend of spices, fresh herbs, and wholesome ingredients that promise to tantalize your taste buds. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner, serve it with warm pita bread for a complete meal.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Water
3 quarts (none)
Tomatoes
2 lbs (coarsely chopped or 1 (28 oz) can peeled Italian plum tomatoes, chopped with juices reserved)
Spanish Onion
1 large (coarsely grated)
Boneless Leg of Lamb
1 lb (well-trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
Chickpeas
1 (19 oz) can (drained and rinsed)
Brown or Green Lentils
1/2 cup (3 1/2 oz) (none)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup (none)
Tomato Paste
3 tablespoons (none)
Ground Cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
Rice
1/3 cup (none)
All-Purpose Flour
1/3 cup (none)
Flat Leaf Parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
Cilantro
1/4 cup (chopped)
Salt
to taste (none)
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
to taste (none)
Pita Bread
for serving (none)
Instructions
1
In a large, heavy pot, combine the water, coarsely chopped tomatoes (or canned tomatoes with juices), grated onion, lamb cubes, drained chickpeas, lentils, olive oil, tomato paste, and ground cumin.
2
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to help dissolve the tomato paste into the broth.
3
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4
After 45 minutes, add the rice to the pot and continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes until the rice is tender.
5
In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of the hot soup into the all-purpose flour to create a slurry. Whisk until smooth.
6
Gradually whisk the flour slurry back into the soup, stirring continuously, and let it simmer for 15 more minutes until the soup is thickened to your liking.
7
Remove the pot from heat and stir in the chopped parsley and cilantro.
8
Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
9
Serve the soup hot, accompanied by warm pita bread for dipping.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Mediterranean Lamb and Chickpea Lentil Soup?
It is a comforting Mediterranean dish filled with tender lamb, protein-packed chickpeas, and nutritious lentils, flavored with a blend of spices and fresh herbs.
How many servings does this soup recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 6 servings.
What type of meat is required for this soup?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of well-trimmed boneless leg of lamb, cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh ones?
Yes, you can use one 28 oz can of peeled Italian plum tomatoes, chopped with their juices reserved, as an alternative to 2 lbs of fresh tomatoes.
How should the onion be prepared?
One large Spanish onion should be coarsely grated before being added to the soup.
What kind of lentils are best for this recipe?
You can use either 1/2 cup of brown or green lentils.
Do I need to soak the chickpeas before using them?
The recipe uses one 19 oz can of chickpeas that should be drained and rinsed, so no overnight soaking is required.
What amount of water is needed for the broth?
The recipe requires 3 quarts of water to start the soup base.
What is the main spice used in this Mediterranean soup?
One teaspoon of ground cumin is used to provide the signature Mediterranean flavor.
How long does the soup need to simmer initially?
After reaching a boil, the soup should simmer on low heat for 45 minutes.
When do I add the rice to the pot?
The 1/3 cup of rice is added after the soup has already simmered for 45 minutes.
How do I thicken the soup?
The soup is thickened using a slurry made from 1 cup of the hot soup liquid mixed with 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour.
What is the purpose of the tomato paste?
Three tablespoons of tomato paste are added to provide depth of flavor and a rich color to the broth.
Which fresh herbs are included in this dish?
The recipe includes 1/4 cup each of chopped flat-leaf parsley and fresh cilantro.
What type of oil is used in the soup?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil.
What is the best way to serve this soup?
Serve the soup hot, accompanied by warm pita bread for dipping.
How long do I cook the rice in the soup?
The rice should be simmered in the soup for about 10 minutes until it is tender.
When do I add the fresh herbs?
Stir in the chopped parsley and cilantro after removing the pot from the heat at the very end of cooking.
How do I ensure the flour slurry is smooth?
Whisk the flour and hot soup together in a small bowl until the mixture is completely smooth before adding it back to the pot.
How long should the soup simmer after adding the flour slurry?
The soup should simmer for an additional 15 minutes after the slurry is added to reach the desired thickness.
Should I use a specific type of pot?
A large, heavy pot is recommended to ensure even cooking and to accommodate the volume of the soup.
How do I prevent the soup from sticking to the pot?
Stir the mixture occasionally while it is simmering, especially after adding the rice and the flour slurry.
Is this soup considered a hearty meal?
Yes, it is described as a hearty and comforting soup that is perfect for a complete meal when served with pita.
Can I adjust the seasoning of the soup?
Yes, you should taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper after the final simmer.
What size should the lamb be cut into?
The lamb should be cut into small, 1/2 inch cubes.
What are the primary sources of protein in this recipe?
The protein comes from the boneless leg of lamb, chickpeas, and lentils.
What is the total simmering time for this recipe?
The total simmering time is approximately 70 minutes (45 min initial + 10 min with rice + 15 min with slurry).
Do I need to use Spanish onions specifically?
The recipe specifies one large Spanish onion for its flavor profile, though other large onions may be used.
Is this soup suitable for cold weather?
Yes, the description highlights it as a great way to warm up and a perfect choice for a cozy dinner.
What are some tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include lamb soup, chickpea soup, lentil soup, mediterranean recipe, and comfort food.