This Blue Zone Has Half The Heart Disease As America — Try Their Soup Recipe

September 1, 2023

Greeks, and Ikarians especially, have mastered the blend of lemon, olive oil, and herbs. This simple soup is a warming alternative to chicken soup in the winter, and yet another way to creatively make beans taste good and figure into your daily diet. Chickpea soup is one of the most classic comfort foods in Ikaria and even throughout the rest of Greece—you’ll find it in almost every home and tavern.

Total Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (45 minutes if using canned chickpeas)

Serves 6

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• 1 pound dried chickpeas, soaked overnight, rinsed, and peeled (or four 15-ounce cans low-sodium chickpeas, drained)
• 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• ó cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
• Salt and pepper
• Juice of 3 lemons, for serving

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1. Place the drained chickpeas in a pot with just enough water to cover, and bring them to a boil. Remove from the heat, drain, rinse, and put them into a clean pot.
2. Add the onion, garlic, bay leaf, olive oil, and enough water to cover the ingredients. Stir to combine.
3. If using dried chickpeas, bring to a boil and then simmer for about 2 hours, or until chickpeas are soft.
4. If using canned chickpeas, bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes, adding a few tablespoons of water at a time to thin the soup as needed.
5. Remove from the heat and discard the bay leaf. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve with generous drizzles of lemon juice and olive oil

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