RecipesTunisiaTunisian Lablabi

Tunisian Lablabi

A hearty and flavorful chickpea soup, often served as a street food or a light meal, seasoned with cumin, harissa, and topped with a poached egg and bread.

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Servings4
DifficultyEasy
Tunisian Lablabi - Tunisia traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 500 g Dried chickpeas(soaked overnight)
  • 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
  • 2 tsp Cumin(ground)
  • 1-2 tbsp Harissa(to taste)
  • 2 tbsp Lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1.5 liters Water
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black pepper
  • 4 large Eggs(for poaching)
  • for serving Crusty bread
  • for garnish Fresh coriander(chopped)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas. Place them in a large pot and cover with fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 45-60 minutes, or until tender. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of the chickpea cooking liquid.

  2. 2

    In the same pot, combine the cooked chickpeas, minced garlic, cumin, harissa, lemon juice, olive oil, and 1.5 liters of fresh water. Add the reserved chickpea liquid if a thinner consistency is desired.

  3. 3

    Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for another 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

  4. 4

    While the soup simmers, poach the eggs to your desired doneness.

  5. 5

    Ladle the hot lablabi into bowls. Top each serving with a poached egg and a sprinkle of fresh coriander. Serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping.

💡 Pro Tips

  • For a quicker version, use canned chickpeas, but ensure they are well-rinsed.
  • Adjust the amount of harissa to control the spice level.
  • A drizzle of good quality olive oil just before serving enhances the flavor.

🔄 Variations

  • Add a pinch of caraway seeds for an extra layer of flavor.
  • Some variations include a tablespoon of tomato paste for added depth.
  • Serve with toasted pita bread instead of crusty bread.

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