Imagine a warm, comforting bowl of sunshine-infused soup that captures the essence of Southern French countryside cooking. This Chickpea Soup a la Provencale is not just a meal—it's a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into a symphony of flavors that will make your kitchen smell like a charming Provençal cottage. Whether you're a busy home cook or a culinary adventurer, this recipe promises to deliver a delicious, nutritious meal that will warm your soul and impress your dinner guests.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp herbes de Provence
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your vegetables: Finely chop the onion, dice the carrots and celery stalks into uniform small pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and slightly golden, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add diced carrots and celery to the pot. Cook together with the onions for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas thoroughly under cold water to remove excess sodium and starch.
- Add the chickpeas to the vegetable mixture in the pot, stirring to combine all ingredients.
- Sprinkle herbes de Provence over the mixture, allowing the herbs to release their aromatic flavors.
- Pour vegetable broth into the pot, ensuring all ingredients are well-covered. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 20-25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir and taste, adjusting seasonings as needed.
- Once vegetables are tender and chickpeas are soft, remove from heat. Let the soup rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Ladle into warm bowls and optionally garnish with fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
Tips
- Vegetable Preparation: Take your time chopping vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and a beautiful texture.
- Herb Magic: For the most authentic flavor, use high-quality herbes de Provence. If possible, toast the herbs briefly in the pot before adding liquid to enhance their aromatic profile.
- Broth Selection: Use a rich, high-quality vegetable broth to add depth to your soup. Homemade is best, but a good store-bought version works well too.
- Chickpea Care: Always rinse canned chickpeas thoroughly to remove excess sodium and improve digestibility.
- Simmering Secret: Keep the heat low and slow during the simmering process. This allows flavors to meld and vegetables to become perfectly tender.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with a crusty French baguette or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for an extra touch of Provence.
- Make-Ahead Tip: This soup tastes even better the next day, so don't hesitate to prepare it in advance for meal prep or entertaining.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
