African Curried Coconut Soup with Chickpeas

Ingredients

2 tbsp oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeño chili, seeded and fine chopped
2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cups low sodium veggie broth
1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained (black-eyed peas can be substituted)
1 cup chopped tomatoes, seeded and peeled, fresh or canned
1 teaspoon mild curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 (14 oz) can light coconut milk
3/4 cup cooked white or brown rice
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

In a medium stockpot, heat oil over medium heat.  Add onion, pepper, and chili - cook, stirring until softened, approximately five minutes.  Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, one minute.  Add the broth, chickpeas (or black-eyed peas), tomatoes, curry powder, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat and simmer gently, uncovered, stirring occasionally approximately ten minutes.  Add the remaining ingredients and cook until heated through, about five minutes.  Serve warm.

Parley

I will admit it has been a while since I last posted a recipe and I am sure I could drum up all manner of excuses, instead I will simply say this was an excellent soup and it looked quite easy to make.  Yes, I said looked because in this case I was merely an observer in the process and not allowed to assist due to the assumption, perhaps well founded, that I was in no shape to cook.  So I hovered around the kitchen peeking and sampling and generally being in the way because it is practically impossible for me to not be in the kitchen when cooking is going on!  The reason for my being banned from culinary activity involved my rather pathetic state after successfully crashing my motorcycle for the first time at the track the day before, but that is a story for another day.  Back to more important things...such as African Curried Coconut Soup.  It is delicious, filling, and savory and can be a meal all in itself.  Throw in a simple salad or fruit and some Naan bread and you now have a feast!  I am really hoping to the be recipient of this soup again in the near future...sans motorcycle crash!