Tunisian Tomato Soup With Chickpeas And Lentils

Place the soaked, uncooked chickpeas in a large pot and cover with water by 3 inches. Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer, partially cover, and cook for 1 hour. (If you're using canned chickpeas, rinse and drain them, and set them aside.)

Add the lentils and cinnamon stick, partially cover again, and cook for another 30 minutes, or until the chickpeas and lentils are perfectly tender, but not mushy. (If you're using canned chickpeas, just cook the lentils with the cinnamon stick in water to cover until tender-about 30 minutes.) Remove and discard the cinnamon stick, and drain the legumes, saving the water.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the onion, garlic, salt, turmeric, cumin seeds, ground cumin, and bay leaves, and saute over medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the onions are soft.

Add the legume cooking liquid (and water, if needed to bring to measure) and the tomatoes, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer, partially cover, and cook for another 15 minutes or so. (The timing does not need to be exact.)

Fish out and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the chickpeas and lentils, and cook for only about 5 minutes longer, so the legumes won't become mushy.

Season to taste with black pepper, cayenne, and lemon juice. Serve hot, topped with some yogurt, a sprinkling of parsley or mint, and currants, if desired.