Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
Soup Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes, sliced
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 4 ounces orzo
- 6 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup green olives, pitted and halved (or quartered if very large)
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 1 cup baby spinach, roughly torn
Seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil and Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent, creating a flavorful base for the soup.
- Add Garlic: Add the finely chopped garlic to the pot and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, enhancing the aromatic profile of the soup.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste and Herbs: Stir in the tomato paste, fresh oregano, and thyme. Cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavors and combine the ingredients thoroughly.
- Add Sundried Tomatoes, Chickpeas, Orzo, and Stock: Mix in the sliced sundried tomatoes, drained chickpeas, orzo, and vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a boil to activate the cooking process for the orzo.
- Simmer the Soup: Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the soup cook gently for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed much of the broth’s flavor.
- Finish with Olives, Coconut Cream, and Spinach: Stir in the green olives, coconut cream, and baby spinach. Allow the spinach to wilt and the olives to warm through for a couple of minutes, enriching the texture and creaminess of the soup.
- Season: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed before serving.
Notes
- Use pitted green olives for easier eating; quarter larger olives to better distribute their flavor.
- Sundried tomatoes add sweetness and depth; soak dry ones in warm water if needed before slicing.
- If coconut cream isn’t available, full-fat coconut milk can be used but may yield a slightly thinner soup.
- For vegan and vegetarian diets, ensure the vegetable stock is plant-based.
- Orzo can be substituted with other small pasta shapes if desired.
- Adjust the soup thickness by adding more or less vegetable stock according to preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian