Aromatic Tunisian Frikeh Soup with Chickpeas and Harissa

Name: Aromatic Tunisian Frikeh Soup with Chickpeas and Harissa
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Soup
Ingredients: 1 cup frikeh; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 6 cups vegetable broth; 2 cups cooked chickpeas (or canned, drained); 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes; 2 tablespoons harissa paste; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; Fresh lemon wedges

A warm and spicy classic from Tunisia

This hearty Tunisian frikeh soup brings together nutty frikeh, spicy harissa, and wholesome chickpeas for a comforting meal.

1 h 30 min
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Frikeh Soup Base

1 cup frikeh

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the Soup Broth

6 cups vegetable broth

2 cups cooked chickpeas (or canned, drained)

1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes

2 tablespoons harissa paste

Salt and pepper to taste

For the Garnish

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Fresh lemon wedges

Preparation

Prepping the Ingredients

Rinse Frikeh

Rinse the frikeh under cold water and drain.

Heat Oil

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Cook Onion and Garlic

Add onion, cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes, then add minced garlic.

Creating the Soup Base

Add Spices

Stir in cumin, coriander, paprika, and cayenne, cooking until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.

Toast Frikeh

Add frikeh to the pot and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.

Combine Broth and Tomatoes

Pour in the vegetable broth, chickpeas, and crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine.

Cooking Process

Simmer Ingredients

Cover and simmer soup for 30 minutes on low heat.

Add Harissa

Stir in harissa paste and season with salt and pepper, simmer for another 5 minutes.

Adjust Seasoning

Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

Plating & Serving