June 10, 2008

Garlic, Chickpea, Spinach Soup

Before the Spinach and E.Coli outbreak , which created a havoc here in US, resulting in recall of tonnes of fresh spinach from the grocery stores could be soon forgotten, our 'Love Apples' a.k.a Tomatoes are bitten by the bacteria bug!

As The New York Times reports - Fresh Tomatoes have been pulled off from stores like Mc Donalds, Wal-Mart, Burger King and many other popular food joints due to a bacteria called Amid Salmonella.

Some notes about Salmonella:

Salmonella is a bacteria that lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. The bacteria are usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces.
Most infected people suffer fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps starting 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness tends to last four to seven days.

I strongly feel, its always better be safe than sorry. Be careful while consuming 'uncooked tomatoes' for a while, atleast till the FDA determines whats the cause for this outbreak!

Now coming to today's recipe - its a combo of garlic, pureed chickpeas and spinach with some seasoning... what else can we ask for in a soup....:)


Garlic,Chickpea,Spinach Soup
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Ingredients

1 can Chickpeas, rinsed
1/2 medium Onion, chopped
2 cloves of Garlic, minced
1 tbsp Olive Oil
4 cups Vegetable stock
1 tsp Cumin powder
1 tsp Coriander powder
2 tsp Cornflour
1 tsp Sesame paste (optional)
1 medium Potato, cubed
1 cup Spinach, blanched
Salt & Pepper - to season

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add garlic and onion. Saute for 5 mins until golden brown. Add cumin powder and coriander powder. Cook for 1 more minute.

2. Add vegetable stock and chopped potatoes. Boil and simmer for 10mins. Add chickpeas and Cook until tender.

3. Mix in cornflour(with little water, make sure there are no lumps!) , sesame paste, seasoning. Cook for 2 minutes and blend together.

4. Add to soup with spinach. Bring to boil for couple of minutes. Season with salt & pepper.

5. Serve hot!


Off this warm soup goes to Lisa's No Croutons Required event, this month's theme is soups or salads featuring legumes.

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Pallavi of 'All thingz yummy' has tagged me for '10 things I hate' Meme: here goes the list...

1. I hate waking up early in the morning.. I am an owl - a night person!

2. I hate people who offer their unsolicited advices. typically I stay away from them, as I easily get influenced by other's remarks!

3. I hate being Lazy, but at times (or should I say most of the times!) I AM LAZY, even - to pick up a glass of water!

4. I don't like people who break their promises, unless they have a genuine reason. If u can't do it, then why create hope in others?.. Don't u see a point??

5. Smoking - this is one habit which gets onto my nerves.

6. I hate Indian Politics - I strongly feel, its a garbage full of leaders who are good for nothing, corrupted people!

7. Loud Music - I can't take music that too loud, esp the gaana-bajaana during marriages until early mornings!!

.. I guess, am done...can't think of any others right now!

By rule, I have to tag just 4, but am gonna tag all my fellow recipe marathon runners - Laks, Anu, Raaga, Dhivi, Ranji, Swati, Divya, Valli and Bhags for this Meme!

If any of you guys has already done this..give me the link ok.. I wanna know what u ppl hate the most!!! *wink*

Enjoi!!

Coming up next - Palak Khasta Roti for Valli's Roti Mela!

Siri

31 comments :

  1. Now why does this soup sound so familier - wasnt this planned for the garlic event? mmm..i remeber it like yday when we discussed this soup - i love it - its so delicious and healthy too.

    hehehe What I hate is such a common knowledge to u - why do a meme- hehe chalo will do when I get back :)

    Hugs ( so tight that it will leave u breathless ;-) )
    DK

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  2. Soup looks so creamy and comforting, Siri! I totally agree with a lot of what you wrote on your meme! Sent you my address via email today. :)

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  3. Soup looks so rich and creamy.Very simple recipe.I don't like croutons in soups, 'coz i have rush eating those fast before they get all soggy in the soup :D.Nice meme..only 7 huh?

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  4. the soup looks yum.....the first two hates are common

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  5. i remember the spinach e-coli breakout all too well...I'd just fed my daughter spinach for the first time and then switched on the TV to find breaking news on all the channels about the breakout. Luckily,things didn't turn bad for us though I kept watching for symptoms very carefully :-)

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  6. thats one lovely soup dear siri...and nice reading abt what you hate...will do it sometime..I have so many pending..that I have lost count!..so bad of me right!

    and I all so eager for your next post!..heheh

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  7. Sir, that is one glorious bowl of soup :-)

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  8. will try... have a long list of memes and a short list of hates :-)

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  9. I know! We got some Burgers last weekend without any Tomatoes!! Bummer! I am going to grow my own anyway!:D
    I love that soup!:))

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  10. I love soups, this looks delicious.
    Love the meme too.
    Loved that you a lazy to take water :-)

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  11. I can just say Ditto to all your hates, Siri! :-)
    The soup looks awesome!

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  12. wooooooow!!such an inviting bowl of soup....love the combination of flavors added..delicious siri..great entry:)

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  13. @ DK: Yup! this soup was to be made for JFI: Garlic.. Thanks to my loong list of bookmarks.. it took a backseat..glad u liked it..*wink*

    @ Kalai: Yup got ur email Kalai, just checked it! Thanks and glad u liked the soup!!

    @ Maheshwari: me too, even I don't like croutons in the soup! I like it plain.. I cud just rememeber 7 things Mahi.. will update the post when I recollect the other 3..;)

    @ Bhags: Thanks Bhags.

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  14. @ Jayashree: the effect is localized to just 17 states Jaya, but who knows.. better be safe than sorry.. No Tomatoes this weekend!

    @ Valli: Glad u liked the soup valli. even I have Laks fridge Meme, pending for almost 7-8 months.. But, I wary at displaying my fridge..will post the khasta roti soon!!

    @ Sunita: Thanks Sunita..:)

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  15. @ Raaga: LOL! will be looking fwd for ur 'Hate Meme' Raaga..;)

    @ Ashaji: Homegrown are 'the best' any given day ashaji. Lucky U!

    @ Ranji: Thanks Ranji. glad u liked it!!

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  16. Very different soup recipe Siri. Will try it out soon.

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  17. a different soup indeed, Siri! Looks delicious. Nice meme too.

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  18. that sure sounds liek ablend of wonderful flavors Siri!:)

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  19. That looks good..I'm always looking out for soup recipes so gonna book mark this one. Thanx!

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  20. I just knew you could come up with a first class entry. I must try this unique soup. Thanks so much for making me hungry :)

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  21. @ Madhu: Glad u liked it madhu. do try it and let me know how it turned out to be..:)

    @ Uma: Thanks Uma..:)

    @ Mansi: Oh ya mansi, the chickpeas, the garlic, spinach and sesame .. I just loved all the flavors!! a must try soup, I must say!..;)

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  22. @ Bharti: do try this soup Bharti, I am sure u will not be disappointed!..:)

    @ Lisa: Thanks dear. I am so glad that u liked my humble entry..:)

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  23. I love soups,it looks delicious.
    will try soon.

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  24. Lovely warming soup Siri! sounds delicious...right now its so hot here,can only think of cold soups!

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  25. Nice soup,looks so comforting...its very different.

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  26. @ Andhraflavors: Thanks dear.

    @ Miri: this soup can be served at room temparature too Miri. But, it tastes yum when hot..;)

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  27. Yummy soup! Perfect for today's weather in mid-west :-)

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  28. hmm.. siri.. I could do 27 and still the list would go on... the chickpea soup looks comforting, Im not a chickpea fan , can we substitute it with anything else ?

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  29. DeviPriya: Thanks devi!

    @ Dee: I think we can use any kind of 'lentils' instead of chickpeas Dee. I am not sure (kidney) beans wud taste good with garlic and spinach combo!

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  30. The soup looks inviting :)

    Ughh Salmonella, I was soo disappointed to know tomatoes were the victims this time...can't do without these red juicy buddies!

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  31. I saw your recipe from the round up. Sounds delicious.

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'Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind it' ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Siri

 
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