Lemony Chickpea Soup

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This Mediterranean-inspired lemony chickpea soup (similar to traditional Greek Revithosoupa) uses blended chickpeas and olive oil to create a velvety texture without adding cream.

Ingredients

  • 2 cans ($15\text{ oz}$ each) chickpeas, rinsed and drained (or $3\text{ cups}$ cooked chickpeas)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • $4\text{ cups}$ low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon (about $\frac{1}{4}\text{ cup}$ juice)
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach or chopped kale
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • Fresh dill or parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the vegetables soften. Stir in the garlic and dried oregano, cooking for another 60 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Simmer the Soup: Add the chickpeas, broth, and bay leaf to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
  3. Blend for Texture: Remove the bay leaf. Transfer $1\text{ to }1.5\text{ cups}$ of the soup (mostly chickpeas and broth) to a blender and puree until smooth (or use an immersion blender directly in the pot for a few short pulses). Stir the blended mixture back into the pot to thicken the broth naturally.
  4. Finish with Greens & Lemon: Turn off the heat. Stir in the fresh spinach, lemon zest, and lemon juice. The heat from the soup will wilt the spinach within 1–2 minutes.
  5. Season & Serve: Season generously with salt and pepper. Adjust lemon juice to taste. Serve warm topped with fresh dill or parsley and an extra drizzle of olive oil.

Recipe Tips & Variations

Variation Modification Result
Creamy Egg-Lemon (Avgolemono) Whisk 2 eggs with the lemon juice, then slowly temper with a ladle of hot broth before stirring back in. Rich, silky, authentic Greek-style soup.
Grain Boost Add $\frac{1}{2}\text{ cup}$ cooked orzo, rice, or quinoa during the last 5 minutes. Heartier main meal (add extra broth as grains absorb liquid).
Storage & Meal Prep Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Flavors deepen overnight; add a splash of water when reheating.

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