- Chickpeas (smoked and boiled) – adjust according to desired quantity
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- ½ cups carrots, cubed
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- • Celery (or celery root), finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Broth (vegetable or chicken), as needed
- 1 glass of borscht (optional, for extra flavor)
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Prepare the Chickpeas:
- Soak the chickpeas in water and boil for about 1 hour until soft.
- Cut half of the chickpeas into smaller pieces for texture, and leave the other half whole.
- For the smoked chickpeas, peel the skin and slice them thinly.
- Cook the Smoked Chickpeas:
- Heat a bit of oil in a pan and fry the smoked chickpeas until they gain a little color and texture, about 2-3 minutes.
- Prepare the Vegetables:
- Chop the onion, carrots, red bell pepper, and celery (or celery root).
- Crush the garlic cloves (optional, but adds great flavor).
- Cook the Vegetables:
- In the same pan, add the chopped vegetables and garlic, and cook for 2 minutes until they soften and change color.
- Assemble the Soup:
- Once the chickpeas are fried and the vegetables are slightly cooked, add everything into a large pot.
- Pour in the broth (vegetable or chicken) and add a glass of borscht for tanginess (optional).
- Add salt and pepper to taste, and bring everything to a boil. Let the soup simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
- Prepare the Soup Dressing:
- In a separate bowl, mix 2 egg yolks with 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt.
- Slowly incorporate some hot soup liquid into this mixture to temper the eggs, then gently stir this back into the soup to add creaminess.
- Finishing Touches:
- Add fresh parsley to garnish and stir everything well.
- Let the soup simmer for a couple of minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve:
- Serve the soup hot, and enjoy it with a sprinkle of extra pepper and onion if desired.