Chickpea stew and lentil soup: Imad Alarnabs recipes for Syrian comfort food
3 minute readPublished: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 6:00 am
Syrian Comfort Food: A Culinary Journey
In a world often filled with culinary complexity, two recipes offer a comforting embrace: a creamy red lentil soup and a Levantine chickpea stew. These dishes, rooted in Syrian culinary traditions, provide a warm and satisfying experience, perfect for the colder months.
The red lentil soup, a smooth and golden blend, features lentils cooked with onions, garlic, and a touch of spice. The recipe calls for a drizzle of dukkah oil, a blend of toasted spices and lemon zest infused in oil, which adds an earthy aroma. Served with crusty bread and a squeeze of lemon, this soup is a celebration of simple ingredients. The preparation involves sauteing onions and carrots, adding spices and lentils, and simmering until soft. The soup is then blended until smooth and topped with the aromatic dukkah oil.
The Levantine chickpea stew, a more involved dish, features tender chickpeas simmered in a rich tomato base with onions, garlic, and cumin. Fried aubergine is added, contributing a smoky softness to the stew. The recipe begins with sauteing onions and garlic, followed by the addition of red peppers and spices. Chickpeas and chopped tomatoes are then added and simmered for two hours. Separately, aubergine cubes are deep-fried until golden. The fried aubergine is then stirred into the stew, and the dish is finished with chopped parsley and a drizzle of tahini.
Both recipes, designed to serve four to six people, emphasize the importance of fresh ingredients and simple techniques. The lentil soup takes approximately an hour to prepare, while the chickpea stew requires over two hours of cooking time. These dishes, created by Imad Alarnab, founder of Imads Syrian Kitchen and Aram, offer a taste of Syrian comfort food, highlighting the beauty of humble ingredients and the power of home cooking.
BNN's Perspective:
These recipes offer a welcome reminder of the power of food to connect us to different cultures and provide comfort. While the recipes themselves are relatively simple, the dishes represent a rich culinary heritage. The focus on fresh ingredients and straightforward techniques makes them accessible to home cooks, encouraging a deeper appreciation for diverse cuisines.
Keywords: Syrian food, lentil soup, chickpea stew, dukkah oil, tahini, Imad Alarnab, comfort food, recipes, Middle Eastern cuisine, aubergine, chickpeas, red lentils, cumin, spices, cooking.