Garlic Chickpea Soup

Ingredients

• 6-8 garlic cloves
• 1½ cups boiled chickpeas, strain and reserve the cooking liquor
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, roughly chopped 
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme 
• 1 medium potato, peeled and roughly chopped 
• Salt to taste 
• Crushed black peppercorns to taste 
• 3 cups cooking liquor
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh cream
• ½ teaspoon red chilli flakes + to sprinkle
• 1 teaspoon chopped chives + to sprinkle
• Fried sliced garlic for garnish
• Toasted bread slices to serve

Method

1. Heat olive oil in a deep non-stick pan, add garlic and onion, mix and sauté till translucent.
2. Add thyme and mix well. Add potato, mix and saute for 2 minutes.
3. Add chickpeas and mix well. Add salt and crushed black peppercorns and mix well.
4. Add cooking liquor, mix and once the mixture comes to a boil, cover and cook on medium heat for 8-10 minutes.
5. Grind to a fine paste with a hand blender. Add 1 cup water, butter and mix well. 
6. Once the mixture comes to a boil, add fresh cream, red chilli flakes and chives and mix well.
7. Transfer into a serving bowls, sprinkle fried garlic, chives and red chilli flakes and serve hot with toasted bread.