Chickpea, Tomato, and Orzo Soup with Basil Pesto
 
 
A hearty one pot chickpea, tomato, and orzo soup topped with dollops of basil pesto. Full of fresh flavor!
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into half moon slices
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp chopped oregano
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 1 tbsp thyme leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 4½ cups vegetable broth
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup dried orzo
  • 2½ cups cooked chickpeas
  • 4 tbsp basil pesto
  • shredded basil leaves, to serve
Instructions
  1. Heat 3 tbsp of the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Add the onions to the pan and saute for 4 minutes on medium heat. Add in the carrots and cook for another 4 minutes to soften the vegetables. Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add in the wine and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  2. Stir in the canned tomatoes, herbs, sugar, broth, and salt and black pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
  3. Add the orzo to the pot and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Place the chickpeas in a bowl and crush them a little bit with a potato masher so that some are squished but some are left whole. Pour into the soup and simmer for another 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
  4. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with a dollop of pesto on top, along with finely shredded basil.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Ottolenghi Plenty
Recipe by Joanne Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/2020/01/chickpea-tomato-and-orzo-soup-with-basil-pesto.html