Tomato soup

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Couscous

1 tbsp olive oil

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 large onion, diced

3 large cloves garlic, minced

1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated

1 (14 oz) can tomatoes, with juices

2 tablespoons tomato paste

3 cups vegetable stock

1 bay leaf

2 dried red chili peppers

2 teaspoons garam masala

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 (16 oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 tablespoon lemon juice

3 tablespoons coconut milk or heavy cream

Method:

1. Fill a pot 2/3 full with water and bring to a boil.  Add the couscous and a generous pinch of salt and cook until the couscous is done, about 5 minutes; drain and set aside.

2. Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium heat; add the bell pepper and onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the garlic and ginger and cook 2 minutes more.  Stir in the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, stock, bay leaf, dried red chili peppers, garam masala, sugar, salt, and black pepper; turn heat up to high and bring to a boil, then cover the pot, turn heat down to simmer, and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Turn heat off, cool slightly, and remove  and discard the bay leaf and dried red chili peppers.

Transfer 2/3 of the soup to a blender and puree until smooth.  Pour the pureed soup back into the pot, along with the chickpeas and lemon juice.  Bring up to a simmer over medium heat, then turn heat off and stir in the couscous and coconut milk or heavy cream.  Taste and season with additional salt, black pepper, sugar, or lemon juice.