Moroccan Spiced Chickpea And Lentil Soup

---

Nabbed this from a whole foods recipe. Very good especially with the chamoula (separate recipe). This is very chunky, if you want a thin soup add more veggie broth, if you want a thicker soup take some of the chickpeas and lentils and puree them in a blender, then add them back into the soup.

---

Steps

---

In a medium sized pot heat the olive oil at medium heat and add fennel , gently cooking for a couple of minutes while the fennel releases its natural juices.

---

Add the red and white onions , cook until soft and translucent , but without turning brown , stirring mixture from time to time , about 12 minutes.

---

Add tomatoes and increase heat to high until the mixture comes to a simmer.

---

Add the ginger , turmeric , cinnamon , garlic and saffron if using , letting them infuse the mixture with their flavors for a few more minutes.

---

Add the lentils , vegetable stock , sprigs of cilantro and parsley and bay leaves and bring to a boil , then reduce heat to a simmer.

---

Season with salt , pepper and sugar , stirring the mixture a couple of times.

---

Cover pot and let simmer for about 25 minutes or until the lentils are tender.

---

Add the cooked chickpeas and cook uncovered for another 5 to 7 minutes until heated through.

---

Mix well , season again with salt , pepper and sugar to taste.

---

Remove bay leafs.

---

Ingredients

---

extra virgin olive oil, white onion, red onion, fennel bulb, ground ginger, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, saffron thread, chopped tomatoes, garlic cloves, sugar, low sodium vegetable broth, dried lentils, canned chick-peas, cilantro, parsley, dried bay leaves, salt and pepper