Moroccan Split Pea Bessara - Vegetarian Split Pea Soup or Dip
An easy, flexible recipe for Moroccan Split Plea Bessara. Adjust liquids and spices to vary the consistency and seasoning.
Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 385kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dried split peas (about 2 cups
- 4 cups broth (chicken, beef or vegetable)
- 2 cups water
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 to 5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)
For Garnish and Serving
- cumin, salt and cayenne pepper
- olive oil
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook the onions and garlic in the olive oil over medium-low heat for just a few minutes, or until fragrant and softened. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 50 to 60 minutes, until the peas are tender. Stir occasionally while cooking.
- Use an immersion blender, food processor or blender to puree the soup. (If the soup is quite hot when you puree it, use caution. Fill a blender or processor only one-third to halfway and use a towel to hold the lid firmly in place because pressure from steam can cause hot liquids to splash forcefully upward.)
- If desired, thin the puree to a soup-like consistency with additional broth or water. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve warm, garnished as desired with olive oil, cumin and cayenne pepper. (All may be offered on the side as condiments.) Thinner bessara is eaten with a spoon, but thicker versions are scooped up like a dip with pieces of Moroccan bread.
Notes
- Water is traditionally the only liquid used to make bessara, but I like to use some broth for added flavor. You can replace all or some of the broth with water, but adjust seasoning accordingly.
- If you've made bessara as a dip, the leftovers can be thinned with water and served as soup for breakfast or dinner.
Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 840mg | Potassium: 820mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1240IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 4.3mg
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate obtained from online calculators. Optional ingredients may not be included in the nutritional information.
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