Best Smoky Chickpea Soup With Herbs And Yogurt Recipes

SMOKY CHICKPEA, RED LENTIL & VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, carrots, smoked paprika and cumin; cook, stirring frequently so the garlic doesn't brown, about 2 minutes more.
• Add the broth, diced tomatoes, red lentils, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer; cook for ten minutes. Add the chickpeas, cover the pot and cook 10 minutes more. Fish out the bay leaves, then transfer 2 cups of the soup to a blender and purée until smooth (be sure to remove the center knob on the blender and cover with a dishtowel to avoid splatters). Add the puréed soup back to the pot and stir. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary; if you want the soup to be thicker, purée a bit more soup. Add the cooked vegetables and simmer until the soup is hot and the vegetables are warmed through. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost the soup in the refrigerator for 12 hours and then reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat until hot. through.

CHILLED YOGURT SOUP WITH SPINACH AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Steam the spinach until just wilted, about two minutes. Rinse with cold water, squeeze out excess water and chop. Set aside.
• In a mortar and pestle, combine the garlic and a generous pinch of salt; mash to a paste. Stir into the yogurt. Add the water, and stir together. Add the cumin seeds, and stir in the spinach and chickpeas. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill several hours. If desired, add the lemon juice. Garnish each serving with chopped fresh dill or parsley and an optional drizzle of olive oil.

EASY YOGURT SOUP WITH ORZO AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Cook the orzo or rice in boiling salted water for about 10 minutes, until done (check the package instructions), and then drain. Meanwhile, bring the stock to a boil in a separate pan.
• In a bowl, beat the cornstarch and egg yolk together with a fork until smooth, then beat in a spoonful of the yogurt until well blended. You can then add the remaining yogurt and beat until combined. Stir in the mint, saffron or turmeric, and some black pepper.
• Take the stock off the heat and pour in the yogurt mixture, whisking vigorously. Stir over very low heat until the soup begins to simmer. Continue to stir for 3 to 5 minutes, until it thickens slightly, then add the chickpeas and heat through. Season with a little salt.
• A few minutes before serving, mix the cooked orzo or rice into the soup.
• Serve with extra-virgin olive oil, sumac, and Aleppo pepper for people to sprinkle on the soup if they want to.