Creamy Chickpea Soup

Creamy chickpea soup
Veganana (via Cantinho Vegetariano)

Sopa Cremosa de Grão-de-Bico

A hearty and nourishing soup made with chickpeas, potatoes, carrots, collard greens, and mushrooms, gently simmered with herbs and spices. This wholesome dish is naturally vegan, full of flavor, and perfect for a comforting meal.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 5
Cuisine: Brazilian, Vegan
Calories: 225
Ingredients Directions Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups chickpeas (pre-cooked)
  • 3 med. tomatoes (diced)
  • 1 sm. carrot (diced)
  • 1 med. onion (chopped)
  • 1 collard leaf (torn)
  • 1 leek stalk
  • 7 oz button mushrooms (sliced)
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • collard stalks (sliced)
  • parsley to taste (chopped)
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Directions
 

  1. In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the chopped onion, leek, and diced potatoes. Season lightly with salt and pepper, and sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
  2. Gradually stir in water while cooking, then add the chickpeas and collard stalks. Add a little more water if needed, cover the pot, and bring to a gentle boil.
  3. Once the soup is boiling, add the diced carrots and sliced mushrooms, then continue cooking until the potatoes are tender and the soup thickens to a creamy consistency.
  4. Stir in the torn collard leaf and chopped parsley. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Notes

For a comforting meal, this creamy chickpea soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread or garlic bread—great for dipping. If you’d like to make it heartier, serve it over a small portion of brown rice or quinoa. For contrast, a fresh green salad or some pickled vegetables add brightness and crunch.
In Brazil, soups like this are often enjoyed with a warm, crusty pão francês (Brazilian baguette). For a more indulgent option, try serving it alongside pão de queijo (cheese bread), which complements the soup’s creamy texture with a lightly cheesy bite.
For Brazilian drink pairings, I’d suggest: 1) suco de laranja fresco (fresh orange juice) – bright, slightly acidic, and refreshing, it balances the creamy, hearty flavors of the soup; or 2) chá mate gelado (iced mate tea) – subtly bitter and earthy, it complements the richness of the chickpeas and vegetables without overpowering them.

English Idioms

In the soup – in trouble or in a difficult situation. ✰ “He forgot to file his taxes and now he’s really in the soup.” (Ele esqueceu de declarar seus impostos e agora está realmente está frito.)
From soup to nuts – from beginning to end; the whole process. ✰ “The event planning was handled soup to nuts by the new coordinator.” (O planejamento do evento foi feito do princípio ao fim pelo novo coordenador.)
Too many cooks spoil the soup – too many people trying to manage something can ruin it. ✰ “We can’t have everyone suggesting changes; too many cooks spoil the soup.” (Não podemos deixar que todos sugiram mudanças; cozinheiro demais entorna o caldo.)
All in the same soup – facing the same problem or situation. ✰ “We’re all in the same soup trying to meet this deadline.” (Estamos todos na mesma situação tentando cumprir esse prazo.)
A stew of things / a mixed bag / a hodgepodge – sometimes loosely connected with soups, meaning a combination of various things (more figurative). ✰ “The book is a stew of ideas, some good and some confusing.” (O livro é uma salada de ideias, algumas boas e outras confusas.)