Healthy Recipe | Moroccan Tomato Chickpea Soup

This Moroccan tomato soup recipe is topped with sprouts, goat cheese and chimichurri to take it to the next level. It’s the perfect winter meal, is healthy, and approved by Calgary acupuncturist, Joseph Coccagna

Are you looking for a new soup recipe that is both diet friendly, healthy, and full of flavour? This is cozy weeknight soup will become a staple in your winter soup rotation. Pair it with some homemade cornbread and a dabble of goat cheese if you want to take it to the next level. If you’re aiming to make the ultimate crowd-pleaser, plop some chimichurri on top too.

Oh, did I mention this is healthy!?

Energetics

Looking at food and diet through more of a Traditional Chinese Medicine lens, it’s important that the winter foods you’re consuming are more warming (Yang). Chickpeas are considered a Yang food, and they’re great for building Qi and benefit the Spleen, Stomach and Heart. While tomatoes are considered cooling, the spices in the recipe (paprika, thyme, cumin, cilantro, etc.) help to thoroughly warm things up. Tomatoes also help to alkalyze the Blood, moisten dryness and the intestines, help with indigestion, constipation, gout and more. Corn is also a Yang food, and promotes urination, nourishes the Qi, Blood, Heart, Stomach, and Kidney, and strengthens teeth and gums.

When it comes to food energetics, it’s important to eat for the season and geographic location. It’s also import to take into consideration your specific constitution and currently health needs, so this recipe may not be for everyone. Ask your acupuncturist if you’re unsure.

Do you experience digestive issues?

Acupuncture has a long tradition of help with symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, undigested food in your stool, nausea, and abdominal pain. Our diet plays an important role in causing digestive disharmony, and thus an equally important role treating and preventing it. It may not be the only thing causing you issues, though. Hence the importance of having a practitioner that can get to the root of your concerns.

Book a session with Joseph if you want to address your issues and find some digestive harmony.

Recipes

Soup

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil

• 1 small yellow onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, smashed

• Sea salt and black pepper

• 1 tablespoon thyme

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 2-3 tablespoons harissa paste

• 2 large cans San Marzano tomatoes

• 2 teaspoons honey

• 1 can coconut milk

• 1 cup of broth of your choice

• Goat cheese, crumbled (optional)

• 1 large can chickpeas

• 1 large shallot shaved

• 1 tablespoon Z’artar

• 1 tablespoon harissa paste

• Sea salt

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Instructions: sauté the chopped onions and garlic along with the coconut oil in your soup pot until they’re starting to caramelize. Stir in your herbs and spices and let it cook for another couple minutes. Put in your tomatoes, coconut milk, and broth, and bring to a rolling boil. Let it cook for 25-30 minutes and add your honey. In a bowl mix your chickpeas, olive oil, shaved shallot, olive oil, Z’atar, harissa, sea salt, until the chickpeas are fully coated. Sauté until everything is crispy and caramelized.

Chimichurri

• 1 bunch of fresh cilantro

• 1/2 bunch of Italian parsley

• Sea salt

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 garlic clove

• 1/3 cup pickled jalapeños

Instructions: Blend all ingredients in your trusty blender. Salt to taste and enjoy.

Cornbread

I love Red Mill’s gluten free cornbread mix. I add a little honey to the mix, and sprinkle the top with sea salt, but otherwise it’s delicious!