Awesome Onion Persian Herb & Chickpea Soup

Milford Spice does it again! This Awesome Onion Spice is terrific!

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 cans (14 ounce) chickpeas, drained
3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
1 ½  Tbsp Awesome Onion Soup spice from Milford Spice
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 tsp lemon zest
4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 cups baby spinach
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
1/4 cup fresh dill, roughly chopped
1 Tbsp chopped chives
2 cups cooked basmati rice
Greek yogurt, for serving
Fresh mint, for serving

DIRECTIONS

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion and cook 5 minutes until soft. Add the chickpeas and season with ½ Tbsp of the Awesome Onion Soup spice. Cook, stirring occasionally until he chickpeas begin to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, crushed red pepper, lemon zest, and the 1 Tbsp of the Awesome Onion Soup spice, and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. 

• Carefully remove 1 cup of chickpeas and reserve for topping, only if desired. 

• To the chickpeas, add 4 cups broth, the lemon juice, and season with salt. Bring the mix to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Stir in the spinach, cilantro, parsley, dill, and chives, and simmer 10-15 minutes, until the spinach is wilted and the stew is very fragrant. Taste, adjusting salt and pepper as needed. 

• To serve, divide the rice among bowls and ladle the stew overtop. Top with yogurt, the reserved chickpeas, and fresh mint.