Ingredients
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 1 celery rib, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/3 cup freshly chopped parsley
Liquids & Broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Grains & Legumes
- 1 cup white rice, rinsed
- 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Dash of crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrot, and diced celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Then stir in the minced garlic, bay leaf, dried thyme, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Toast the Rice: Add the rinsed white rice to the pot and stir constantly for 2 minutes. This toasting step helps bring out a nutty aroma and enhances the flavor of the rice in the soup.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and cook for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
- Add Chickpeas and Finish: Stir in the rinsed and drained chickpeas, freshly chopped parsley, and the fresh lemon juice. Let the soup simmer together for 5 more minutes to meld the flavors.
- Final Touches: Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as desired before serving.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice before cooking helps remove excess starch and prevents the soup from becoming too thick or gummy.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- This soup can be made in advance and reheated; the flavors deepen after sitting overnight.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the vegetable broth used is certified gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian