Djouaz el Hummus, Algerian Chick Pea Soup, Potage de Pois Chiches

This is a very satisfying and easy to make soup. It's nutritious and full of strong, simple flavors. As with most Algerian dishes there are endless variations of chick pea soup. This the first in a series that I will post.

It might come as a surprise to some that Algerian cuisine has a large range of vegetarian, vegan and whole grain dishes. Most seem to be more familiar with meat and chicken dishes. But that is not representative of the diet. My family ate an unusually high amount of lamb and beef compared to most.

Ingredients:

2 cups chick peas soaked in water overnight
500 gr de pois chiches

1 cup green lentiles soaked in water overnight
225 gr de lentilles

1 onion chopped
1 oignon

2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 gousses d'ail

3 tablespoons of tomato paste or tomato jam
3 cuilleres a soupe de concentre de tomate

1 tablespoon of cumin

1 cuilliere de soupe de cumin

1 teaspoon of paprika
1 cuillere a cafe de paprika

1 teaspoon cayenne
1 cuillere a cafe de piment

Olive Oil
Huile d'olive

Salt
Sel

Conversions are approximate.

Method:

1) Cook the chick peas in a pot of water for about one hour. Add the lentils and cook for about 20 minutes. Drain and rinse the chick peas and lentils under cool water. You can remove the skins if you want, but an Algerian usually won't give up that extra bit of fiber.

2) Saute the onions, garlic and tomato paste in olive oil for about 10-15 minutes. This will mellow the flavor of the tomato paste. Add the chickpeas, lentils, spices and about 1 tablespoons of salt or more to taste. Cover with water, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.

Some cooks like to gently mash the chick peaks. Serve with Kesra or Khobz.

Algeria Algerian Cuisine Algerian Recipes Algerian Food Algerian dishes Cuisine Algerienne Recettes  Algerienne North African cuisine Maghreb Cuisine

Comments

[Farid]

Chorba bel frik coming up soon. My work schedule has eased up so I have more time for the blog.

[Sebti]

Delicious! Thanks homeboy :)

Thanks for demystifying the art of cooking!

Any recipes for chorba bel frik?

Thanks!

[cncz]

oh my gosh, my favorite soup ever. thank you and miam.

[Joan]

that's what i like about this blog. farid's recipes and methods are so clear and easy to follow. he doesn't make anything complicated if it doesn't have to be.

sure some dishes take time to make, others are so fast and easy. MIAM! MIAM!

[Mimosa]

i thought it was very more difficult to cook this succulent soup!!
it's one of my favorite algerian recipe! yhank you very much!!