Easy Soup Recipe: Moroccan Bissara
Are you looking for a hot dish to warm up your winter nights? If so, we suggest trying Moroccan bissara. This soup is easy to make, tasty, and healthy! It’s also perfect for vegans looking for a protein boost. This post will guide you step by step through the easy soup Recipe of Moroccan Bissara. These dishes are part of the broader tradition of Moroccan cuisine, which blends Berber, Arab, and Mediterranean influences.
By the way, if you prefer a more complex soup, you might want to try harira. Click here for the harira recipe.
Moroccan bissara is a traditional dish made from dried fava beans or split peas, depending on the region. It’s a thick, creamy soup or purée, often flavored with garlic, olive oil, cumin, and paprika. This soup is a comforting and affordable dish, commonly eaten for dinner, breakfast or as a simple meal, especially in colder weather. It’s typically served with warm bread for dipping and sometimes garnished with extra olive oil and spices on top.
Ingredients of Bissara
To make the Moroccan bissara, you’ll need few simple ingredients that are easy to find.
- 2 cups dried fava beans (you can also use split peas if you prefer)
- 4–5 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional, for garnish)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for serving)
- Salt to taste
- Water (enough to cover the beans)
How to make bissara (with garlic)
Making Moroccan bissara is easy and so worth it. You just need a few simple ingredients to whip up this creamy, flavorful soup. It starts with cooking beans and garlic, blending everything until smooth, and then adding some spices to bring it all together. In no time, you’ll have a cozy dish that’s perfect for cold days. Let’s get started!
- Prep the Beans: If you’re using dried fava beans, soak them overnight in water. This helps soften them and makes them easier to cook. If you’re using split peas, no soaking is needed.
- Cook the Beans: Drain the soaked beans and place them in a large pot. Add the garlic cloves and enough water to cover the beans by about two inches. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about an hour, or until the beans are very soft.
- Blend it Up: Once the beans are cooked and soft, use a hand blender (or transfer everything to a regular blender) to blend the mixture until smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a little water to adjust the consistency.
- Season: Stir in the cumin, salt, and olive oil. Mix well and let it simmer for another 5–10 minutes to let the flavors combine.
- Serve: Ladle the bissara into bowls. Drizzle a little olive oil on top and sprinkle with a pinch of cumin and paprika for garnish. Serve it hot with warm bread on the side.
A Simpler Bissara Recipe (No Garlic)
Some Moroccans prefer a simpler version of bissara, using just fava beans, olive oil, and salt, with a sprinkle of cumin for garnish. This version skips the garlic, as its flavor can be a bit strong for some. It’s just as delicious and highlights the natural taste of the beans. If you want to try this simpler recipe, here’s how you can do it.
- Cook the Beans: Drain the soaked fava beans and toss them into a big pot. Pour in enough water to cover the beans by about two inches. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for around an hour, or until the beans are super soft.
- Blend it Up: Once the beans are nice and soft, grab a hand blender (or use a regular blender) and blend everything until it’s smooth and creamy. If the soup feels too thick, just add a bit of water to get the texture you like.
- Season: Stir in some salt and olive oil, give it a good mix, and let it simmer for another 5–10 minutes to bring the flavors together.
- Serve: Scoop the bissara into bowls, drizzle a little olive oil on top, and sprinkle some cumin for a finishing touch. Serve it hot with warm bread on the side.
This recipe is as simple as it gets, yet it’s packed with flavor and nutrients. Next time you’re craving something warm and cozy, give Moroccan bissara a try. It’s easy, affordable, and brings a taste of Morocco right into your kitchen! Oh! and don’t forget to check out the harira as well.
Related Guides
- Moroccan Harira Simple Recipe to Warm Up Your Winter
- Moroccan Tanjia Recipe with Lamb or Beef
- Moroccan Rfissa Recipe Step by Step
- Fried Sardines Recipe from Morocco with Tomato Sauce & Harissa
