Vegetables and chickpeas in a spicy soup

Eating vegetables is an essential part of a healthy diet. However, sometimes it can be challenging to come up with new and exciting ways to incorporate vegetables into our meals. One way to achieve this is by making a spicy soup that is packed with a variety of vegetables and chickpeas. A spicy soup, especially during cooler months, can be a perfect way to warm up and stay nourished.

Vegetables are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to function correctly. Some vegetables are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, while others provide fiber, which helps with digestion. Combining vegetables with chickpeas in a spicy soup will provide an excellent balance of nutrients that our bodies need.

Ingredients:

– Two cups of chickpeas
– Two medium to large sized carrots
– Two celery stalks
– One large red onion
– Four garlic cloves
– One jalapeno pepper
– One red bell pepper
– One cup of chopped kale
– One tablespoon of ground cumin
– Two teaspoons of smoked paprika
– One teaspoon of chili flakes
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Four cups of vegetable broth
– Two tablespoons of olive oil

Instructions:

Start by rinsing and draining the chickpeas. Chop the carrots, celery stalks, red onion, garlic cloves, jalapeno pepper, and red bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables and sauté for about five minutes until the vegetables begin to .

Once the vegetables are cooked, add in the cumin, smoked paprika, and chili flakes. Stir in the chickpeas and kale, and then add vegetable broth. Bring the pot to a boil, reduce heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are cooked to your preference. If you want a creamier texture, use a handheld immersion blender to puree some of the chickpeas and vegetables.

Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Serve hot with toasted bread or tortilla chips.

The beauty of this spicy soup is that it can be customized to suit your taste buds. If you prefer less spice, leave out the jalapeno pepper, and chili flakes. Additionally, you can add more chickpeas and vegetables of your choice, such as zucchini, sweet potatoes, or spinach.

In summary, vegetables and chickpeas in a spicy soup is an excellent way to incorporate more vegetables into our diets. Making a spicy soup is a straightforward and flavorful way to achieve this. Try this recipe to warm up and stay nourished during cooler weather. Additionally, you can make a larger batch and store it in the refrigerator for quick and easy meals throughout the week.