Description
Mediterranean warmth shines through this golden turmeric soup, blending hearty chickpeas, delicate orzo, and fresh spinach into a comforting bowl. Mediterranean flavors and nourishing ingredients invite you to savor each spoonful of Mediterranean comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Aromatics and Spices:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious cooking vessel and warm olive oil over medium flame, introducing diced onions to the pan. Gently transform the onions until they become soft and translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic and allow it to release its aromatic essence for a brief moment, stirring continuously.
- Sprinkle turmeric, cumin, and ginger into the mixture, gently toasting the spices to amplify their complex flavor profile.
- Pour vegetable broth into the pot, introducing plump chickpeas to the liquid landscape. Elevate the temperature until the liquid reaches a vigorous bubble, then reduce heat and allow the ingredients to meld together for 10 minutes.
- Cascade orzo pasta into the simmering liquid, monitoring its transformation until achieving a tender consistency, roughly 7-8 minutes.
- Delicately fold fresh spinach into the soup, watching it gracefully wilt and integrate with the other ingredients within 2-3 minutes.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper, calibrating the flavors to your preference. Finish with a bright splash of lemon juice to awaken the dish’s nuanced taste.
- Transfer the golden soup into serving vessels, garnishing with fresh parsley or cilantro for a vibrant visual and flavor finale.
Notes
- Spice Intensity: Adjust turmeric and cumin quantities based on personal heat tolerance for a milder or bolder flavor profile.
- Protein Boost: Add cooked shredded chicken or tofu for extra protein if desired, transforming the soup into a more substantial meal.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace orzo with quinoa or rice to make the recipe completely gluten-free without compromising texture.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Prepare soup in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, allowing flavors to develop and deepen over time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg