Lebia

Name: Lebia
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Libyan
Ingredients: 2 cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight; 1 onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp turmeric; 1/2 tsp cayenne; Juice of 2 lemons; Salt and pepper; 6 cups water; Fresh cilantro for garnish

لبية (LEB-yah)

Libyan Chickpea Soup

⏱ Prep Time 40 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 264 kcal

A warming, creamy chickpea soup seasoned with cumin, garlic, and a generous squeeze of lemon. This humble Libyan staple is both nutritious and deeply comforting.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 12.0g

Carbs 36.0g

Fat 8.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

large pot immersion blender (optional) ladle

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep bowl

Garnishes: cilantro, olive oil drizzle, lemon

Accompaniments: crusty bread

Ingredients

2 cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cayenne
Juice of 2 lemons
Salt and pepper
6 cups water
Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1
Drain soaked chickpeas and place in a large pot with 6 cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil.
2
Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes until chickpeas are very tender. Partially mash some for thickness.
3
In a separate pan, saute onion and garlic in olive oil. Add cumin, turmeric, and cayenne.
4
Add the sauteed onion mixture to the chickpea pot. Stir well and simmer 5 more minutes.
5
Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
6
Serve hot in bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro and a drizzle of olive oil.

💡

Did You Know?

Lebia is so fundamental to Libyan cooking that the chickpea itself is called "lebia" in Libyan Arabic dialect.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
immersion blender (optional)
ladle

Garnishing

cilantro, olive oil drizzle, lemon

Accompaniments

crusty bread

The Story Behind Lebia

Chickpea soup has sustained North African populations since antiquity, and Libya's version, lebia, is among the most elemental. The dish requires nothing more than chickpeas, oil, and spice, making it accessible to all economic classes. During lean times and conflicts, lebia has been the fall-back meal that kept families fed. Its simplicity is its strength, and the generous lemon finish brightens what could otherwise be a heavy, monotonous soup into something genuinely delicious.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed winter meal, everyday lunch 📜 Origins: Ancient North African

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