‘Tis the season … for colds and flu, that is. Our house is recovering from a doozy of a bug right now, and I got the worst of it. It’s been a full week, and my appetite is still all but nonexistent.
Strange how foods from childhood creep back into your consciousness when you’re sick. For me, one of the only foods I’ve been able to think about for the past week (without wanting to hurl) is Campbell’s chicken noodle soup. Briny, salty, comforting.
Except, well, shoot. I don’t eat chicken these days, and I limit processed foods too. So what’s a comfort-seeking sickie to do?
Make something just as comforting – and, actually, more so – that’s what! This Chickpea & Rice Soup is basically a vegetarian-friendly chicken and rice soup. It’s brothy, steamy, and satisfying … and it tastes like home.
I’ve made vegetarian chicken soup recipes in the past, but they’ve all been vaguely unsatisfying. With this one, though, I think I’ve finally nailed it! The key is to give the broth a few magic touches to give it that rich, deep, satisfying flavor that chicken would otherwise impart.
We start with a little olive oil and butter – using both adds an extra flavor note or two – and then we saute onions, celery, and carrot. Simple enough. Then we stir in garlic, dried thyme (because who has time to run to the store or out to the garden for fresh thyme when we’re under the weather?), and even a little bit of that super-spice turmeric for health and that familiar yellow hue.
Broth, a bay leaf, some chickpeas … simmer, stir in some cooked rice.
Scoop into bowls, swirl, sip, savor.
Mmm mmm good. Let the healing begin.
More simple vegetarian soup recipes:
- 5-Ingredient Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup – so easy and full of so much flavor.
- Simple Lentil Vegetable Soup – a seriously satisfying bowlful.
- 25-Minute Comforting Vegetable Soup – love how quickly this one comes together.
- Slow-Cooker 5-Ingredient Thai Butternut Squash Soup – this might just be my easiest soup recipe ever.
- Bean without Bacon Soup – reminds me of the childhood classic, but, of course, no bacon!