Leblebi

Name: Leblebi
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Tunisian
Ingredients: 400g cooked chickpeas; 4 cups stale crusty bread, torn; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tbsp harissa paste; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1L chickpea cooking liquid or broth; Capers; Green olives, halved; Lemon juice; Salt to taste

لبلابي (leb-LAH-bee)

Spiced Chickpea Soup with Bread

⏱ Prep Time 30 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 380 kcal

A warming bowl of simmered chickpeas in cumin-scented broth, poured over torn stale bread and topped with harissa, capers, and olive oil.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 16.0g

Carbs 52.0g

Fat 12.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten

Equipment Needed

large pot soup bowls ladle

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep ceramic bowl

Garnishes: harissa, capers, olives, olive oil

Accompaniments: lemon wedges

Ingredients

400g cooked chickpeas
4 cups stale crusty bread, torn
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp harissa paste
3 tbsp olive oil
1L chickpea cooking liquid or broth
Capers
Green olives, halved
Lemon juice
Salt to taste

Instructions

1
Simmer chickpeas in their cooking liquid with garlic, cumin, and salt for fifteen minutes to develop flavor.
2
Place generous handfuls of torn stale bread into the bottom of each deep serving bowl.
3
Ladle the hot chickpea broth over the bread, making sure the bread is well saturated and beginning to soften.
4
Spoon chickpeas over the soaked bread, then drizzle each bowl with olive oil and a spoonful of harissa.
5
Top with capers, green olives, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten all the earthy flavors.
6
Serve immediately while steaming hot. Stir everything together at the table before eating with a spoon.

💡

Did You Know?

Leblebi stalls open at dawn in Tunisian cities, and workers line up in the cold for this warming breakfast before their shift.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
soup bowls
ladle

Garnishing

harissa, capers, olives, olive oil

Accompaniments

lemon wedges

The Story Behind Leblebi

Leblebi is the quintessential winter breakfast in Tunisia, a soul-warming dish that has sustained workers and laborers for centuries. The genius of leblebi lies in its transformation of stale bread and humble chickpeas into a deeply satisfying meal through the power of cumin, garlic, and harissa. Street vendors serving leblebi from enormous steaming pots are an iconic sight in Tunisian cities during cold months.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed winter breakfast, cold weather comfort 📜 Origins: Ancient Tunisian

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