Spiced Chickpea and Vegetable Soup (Print Version)

Warming soup with roasted chickpeas and vegetables in fragrant spices, ready in under an hour.

# What You Need:

→ Chickpeas

01 - 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 large carrot, diced
07 - 1 celery stalk, diced
08 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
09 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
10 - 1 small onion, chopped
11 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
12 - 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
13 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes

→ Broth & Spices

14 - 5 cups vegetable broth
15 - 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
16 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
17 - ½ teaspoon turmeric
18 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
19 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
20 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Finishing

21 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
22 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss drained chickpeas with 1 tablespoon olive oil, smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon cumin, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until crisp and golden brown.
02 - While chickpeas roast, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Add diced carrot, celery, zucchini, and bell pepper to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Stir in 1½ teaspoons cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Toast for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
05 - Add canned diced tomatoes and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
06 - Stir in kale or spinach and half of the roasted chickpeas. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until greens wilt and vegetables reach tender consistency.
07 - Add fresh lemon juice and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
08 - Ladle soup into serving bowls. Top with remaining roasted chickpeas and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted chickpeas transform from simple legumes into crunchy, smoky croutons that elevate the whole bowl
  • Its one of those rare soups that actually tastes better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep
  • The spice blend hits every note warming from the cinnamon and heat from the cayenne without overwhelming the vegetables
02 -
  • The chickpeas need to be very dry before roasting or theyll steam instead of crisp. Take the extra minute to pat them thoroughly with paper towels.
  • Letting the spices toast in the hot oil before adding liquid is the secret to restaurant depth. Skipping this step will leave the soup tasting flat.
  • The roasted chickpeas lose their crunch quickly in liquid. Always store them separately and add them right before serving.
03 -
  • Use a wide pot or Dutch oven rather than a tall narrow one. More surface area means better evaporation and more concentrated flavor.
  • If the roasted chickpeas seem soft after 20 minutes, keep roasting. They should be audibly crunchy when cooled.
  • For the deepest flavor, let the soup cool completely and refrigerate overnight before serving. The spices really bloom.
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