Alki’s Comforting Chickpea Soup

Alki’s Comforting Chickpea Soup

Plant Based / Dairy Free / Gluten Free

Serves 4

One of our favourite family recipes that has been handed down through generations. This is a traditional Greek way to cook chickpeas, a cross between a soup and a stew. Simple ingredients, simply put together, simply delicious! Utterly comforting and very quick to make, you can have a wonderful, healthy weeknight supper, in a matter of 20 minutes. A favourite with children and adults alike.

Ingredients

3tbsp olive oil

1 large onion, peeled & finely chopped

2 x 660g jars of chickpeas, drained and rinsed

250ml white wine

500ml boiled water

2tsp salt

1tbsp yellow mustard

Juice of 2 lemons

3tbsp of chopped fresh basil

Method

In a medium deep saucepan, over medium/low heat, sauté the onion in the olive oil for a few minutes. Add the drained chickpeas and the wine and continue to simmer for a few more minutes. Pour in the water and stir in the salt. Stir in the mustard and allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Using a blender, purée a third of the soup to give it a thick, creamy consistency. This can be done using a hand held blender, or a free standing, in which case return the purée to the hot pan with the rest of the soup and mix through. Add the lemon juice and basil and serve with a slice of hot buttered toast. Enjoy!

Notes

Traditionally, this recipe is made with dry chickpeas that are slowly simmered for a long time, before the rest of the ingredients are added. You are welcome to do so, however the end result and flavour are exactly the same when you use good quality jarred chickpeas; not to mention how much time and energy is saved.