Have you ever had a dish cooked by someone else that you just had to recreate at home?
I was recently staying at a friend’s house and her husband had made a batch of this Persian soup packed with these translucent noodles.
We ate some for breakfast the next day. Yes, I know, soup for breakfast, and I immediately fell in love.
The combination of fibre packed beans, chickpeas, and green spinach perfectly paired with a pinch of spice, lemon, and a hit of dried mint was breathtaking and mouth-watering all at the same time.
It was absolutely gorgeous, and I knew right there that I had to recreate this dish at home, so as soon as I walked through the door, I was in the kitchen making a start on re-creating.
I decided to not include the noodles, like he did, as it’s already got so many wonderful ingredients in the soup, I didn’t want those nutrient-dense veggies to get lost.
Traditionally, this soup has natural yogurt stirred in at the end to make it super creamy and luxurious and all that more warming and comforting.
I used coconut yogurt instead, as it’s renowned for adding an extra layer of velvety richness but also imparting some of that coconut nuttiness into the already fragrant broth.
If you’re not that keen on coconut or want to keep the dish to a more traditional recipe, you can use a natural soy yogurt to the same effect.
My friend’s husband also made homemade croutons to float on top, and the crunch of these was definitely what made this dish such a star in my eyes.
If you have never made homemade croutons, now is the time to start–they are super simple and super quick, but they add such a different flavour and texture that is almost impossible to describe. You just have to try it for yourself to see what I mean.
Wanting to add my spin to the recipe, I stirred in some fresh spinach and walnut pesto as a last flourish, that I had in my fridge from another recipe.
The recipe is super simple to create and because it’s cooked all in one pan, makes the washing up a breeze!
I always make extra portions when creating this recipe because the flavours are even better the next day once they have developed and infuse all the wonderful components.
Plus, it freezes really well, making it the perfect meal-prepping dish.
Just portion out and freeze in jars or individual portions and thaw overnight in the fridge – it can be kept in the freezer for a few weeks.
And your croutons can also be kept for a few days. Just keep them in an airtight container or bag and store in a cool, dry and dark place.
It’s also super adaptable, meaning you can use up any leftover veggies in the fridge or swap out for your favourite ingredients.
You could, swap out the chickpeas for butter beans or another white bean variant.
Try using curly kale instead of spinach, or add a swirl of coconut yogurt or a drizzle of tahini dressing for extra creaminess and luxury.
Green lentils or green split peas work well instead of red lentils.
Or add a little more extra liquid (stock or water) while cooking to make a more stew based texture, then serve with herbed or spiced rice, saffron works very well, or mashed or boiled potatoes.
If you like this recipe, why not give one of my other soup recipes a try?
My Smoky Red Pepper and Lentil soup is perfect for lazy Sunday afternoons, especially if it’s a little grey outside.
My Creamy Mushroom Soup, drizzled with truffle oil, and made even more luxurious with the addition of sourdough toasts, which are the perfect to dip and dive into the creamy velvet soup.
And finally, my all-time-favourite, my Moroccan Spiced Lentil and Chickpea Soup – you seriously need to try it!
Happy souping, love Niki xx
Brian
The onions look chopped rather than sliced .
Sarah
This is really good! I added some cumin as Inlike the earthiness of it. Thanks so much!
Niki
So happy you liked it!
Love, Niki xxx
Necolle
So delicious. Sometimes I see a recipe and read great reviews and it falls short. This was perfect. There isn’t anything I would change. I will be making this a lot. Thanks for sharing:)
Niki
Amazing!!
So happy you liked it!
Love, Niki xxx
Adri
Looking forward to trying this! However, do you have any recommended kidney bean substitutions? Thanks much!
Niki
Hi Adri
Dont worry you can use black beans or chickpeas xx
tamar
flawless recipe!!
Niki
Thank you so much!! – Niki xo
Linda
Delicious!! I used less water and a little more lentils to make it more of a meal. So easy to make with common cupboard ingredients. This will be on my “go to’ list too 😉
Niki
Love your additions!
Much love, Niki xx
Jen
Love this! Found it in a vegan magazine a year or 2 ago and I’ve hunted it down for my regular dinner Pinterest board I love it so much. Also made for my mum who cooks it at least once a week. So yummy. Thank you! X
Niki
Hi Jen
Thats amazing! so happy you and you mum like.
Love
Niki xxx
Eva
Would this work if I reduced the liquid to make it more like a stew? Was thinking of serving over saffron rice.
Niki
Hi Eva
Absolutely, that would definitely work.
Love
Niki xxx
Nat
One of the best soups I’ve ever had.
Kate
Absolutely delicious! Will be making this regularly. Thank you so much.
Niki
Hi Nat
Brilliant!
So happy to hear xx
MPaula
Is the baking temperature intuitive or a secret?
Niki
It was a secret 😉
Its 180c
Niki xxx
NBMaggie
I am 72 and have been making soup for eons but never in a million years of soup making would have come up with this flavour combo. Absolutely love the mint and two different types of beans together. And lots of black pepper makes the turmeric benefits more accessible. I used blanched kale instead of spinach. I made a big batch and gave some to my soup-loving and soup-making (sort of) son-in-law and my pregnant daughter and they loved it too. So it’s not just a soup only vegans would love. Woo Hooo. Adding this to my Regular Recipes file. Bless you, Niki.
Niki
Aww AMAZING!
So happy to hear…
Much love, Niki xxx
Rachel
The soup was delicious, even my husband thoroughly enjoyed it and it will be on my ‘regular’ to make list. Thank you.
Niki
Hi Rachel
So happy to hear!
Much love
Niki xxx
Ronja Schmid
This was so flavorful and filling, what a lovely recipe! Glad I doubled the amount and have some yummy leftovers now 🙂
Niki
Amazing!
So happy you like
Love
Niki xx
Angie P
hi – does this soup freeze well?! 🙂
Niki
Hi Angie
Yes it sure does!
Love
Niki xx
Tina
This was delicious! Definitely a keeper.
Niki
So happy you like it Tina!
Love,Niki xx
Jean
I made this soup last weekend and it is one of the nicest soups I have ever made. The flavours are amazing. Thank you 🙂
Niki
Hi Jean
That’s fantastic news! I’m happy.
Love Niki xx
Gaelle // My Nomad Cuisine
This soup sounds incredible! I have a community potluck dinner this weekend and was looking for a veggie recipe to share there, I think I’ve got a winner!
Niki
Hey Gaelle
Really glad you like it and hope it goes down well it the dinner!
Best
Niki xx