This chickpea lamb shawarma soup recipe perfectly blends exotic flavors to excite your taste buds! First, the dish is made with a combination of Middle Eastern spices, tender chunks of lamb, chickpeas, and vegetables. They all simmered together in a delicious broth. As a result, this soup is hearty, flavorful, and the perfect comfort food on a cold day. With this recipe, you can bring the taste of the Middle East right into your kitchen and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills!
It was a warm summer night in Dallas when I attended my friend’s birthday party at a Middle Eastern restaurant. The atmosphere was lively with chatter and laughter, and the aroma of exotic spices filled the air. We were all looking forward to trying the various dishes on the menu. However, little did we know that the night was about to take an unexpected turn.
As we sat down to eat, the waiter served us a bowl of chickpea lamb shawarma soup made by a Syrian woman. The soup was hearty and flavorful, with tender chunks of lamb, chickpeas, and vegetables. It was the perfect start to our meal, and we all enjoyed it immensely.
However, just as we were about to order our main dishes, the restaurant suddenly darkened. The power had gone out, causing a moment of confusion and panic. The restaurant staff quickly informed us that they would temporarily close the restaurant until they restored the power. We were disappointed that our dinner plans had been disrupted, but we understood the situation and decided to wait.
As we waited in the dimly lit restaurant, I conversed with the Syrian woman who had made the soup. I was curious about her ingredients and spices and asked if she would share her recipe. To my surprise, she agreed and began to tell me about making the soup.
Luckily, the power was restored when she explained that the spice blend was the key to the soup’s rich flavor. She used a combination of cumin, coriander, turmeric, and paprika to give the soup its distinctive taste. In addition, she added a generous amount of garlic and onion to enhance the flavor further. I listened intently as she shared tips and tricks for making the perfect chickpea lamb shawarma soup.
The ingredients for chickpea lamb shawarma soup include a mixture of spices such as cumin powder, coriander, paprika, cardamom powder (optional), cinnamon powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Other ingredients are olive oil, garlic cloves, onion, lamb mince, tomato paste, chopped carrots, canned chickpeas, canned crushed tomatoes, chicken broth/stock, a bunch of spinach, plain yogurt (or sour cream), and chopped fresh coriander/cilantro.
Here are some ideas on what to serve with chickpea lamb shawarma soup:
- Crusty bread or pita bread on the side
- A dollop of plain yogurt or sour cream on top
- A sprinkle of fresh cilantro or coriander for extra flavor and color
- Roasted or grilled vegetables, such as eggplant, zucchini, or bell peppers
- A side salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions, dressed with lemon juice and olive oil
- A grain, such as a couscous, rice, or quinoa, makes the soup more filling and hearty
- A glass of red wine or a cold beer to balance the spiciness of the soup
- A sweet dessert, such as baklava or fruit salad, to finish off the meal on a high note.
Overall, chickpea lamb shawarma soup is a delicious and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed in many ways, depending on your taste preferences and dietary needs. Feel free to experiment with different sides and garnishes to create your own perfect meal.
Here is how I create the chickpea lamb shawarma soup at home.
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp each of cumin powder, coriander, and paprika
- 1 tsp cardamom powder (optional)
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 onion
- 500g/1lb lamb mince
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 chopped carrots
- 600g canned chickpeas
- 400g can crush tomatoes,
- 3 cups chicken broth/stock
- 1 bunch of spinach
- Plain yogurt (or sour cream)
- Chopped fresh coriander/cilantro
How to create chickpea lamb shawarma soup?
- Heat a large pot over high heat and pour in some oil. Sauté the garlic and onion for one minute until they become translucent.
- Add lamb and break it up while cooking until it turns pink to light brown.
- Add spices and cook for another minute before adding tomato paste and cooking for an additional minute.
- Add carrots, chickpeas, tomato, and broth. Stir and bring to a simmer.
- Cover with a lid and lower the heat to a steady simmer. Cook for 10 minutes until the carrots are tender but still have some bite.
- Stir in the chopped spinach and adjust the seasoning to taste with salt, pepper, and cayenne if you want it spicier. Add more water if you prefer a thinner consistency.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with a dollop of yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh coriander. Enjoy!
Notes:
- When it comes to making substitutions for the meat used in this recipe, beef is a great option. It has a similar texture and flavor to lamb and works well in dishes like this. Chicken, turkey, and veal can also be used, but I’m not sure about pork, as it may not have the same flavor profile as lamb.
- Remember that the net drained weight is only about 220g/7oz per can when using canned chickpeas. For this recipe, I have estimated that 1 ½ cans of chickpeas should be sufficient for 4 to 5 servings, so that is the amount I am using. If you want more chickpeas, feel free to add the remainder. The next day, you can save the remaining chickpeas for another dish, like a salad.
- As for the nutrition information, assuming 5 servings, this soup is quite filling. This soup can be made vegetarian by substituting 4 to 5 cups of chopped vegetables, like zucchini and mushrooms, for the lamb. This will result in fewer calories per serving compared to using lamb. By doing so, the soup volume per serving will remain the same, but the calorie count will be reduced to about 215 calories per serving. I’ll share the vegetarian version of this recipe in the future.
I’m glad you enjoyed reading about my experience making the chickpea lamb shawarma soup, and I hope it has inspired you to try this recipe. This hearty and flavorful soup is perfect for any occasion, and I’m sure it will also become a favorite in your home. So go ahead and whip up a batch of this delicious soup and share it with your loved ones. You never know what unexpected connections and memories may arise!
