Description
A vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired dish that combines briny olives with creamy coconut and hearty orzo pasta. This colorful soup is perfectly balanced with protein-rich chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious coconut cream base, finished with fresh herbs and baby spinach.
Ingredients
- 6 cups (1.5 L) vegetable stock
- 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 4 oz (120g) orzo pasta
- 1 cup (125g) green olives (pitted and halved)
- 1/2 cup (120g) coconut cream, 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes
- 1 large onion (diced), 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 cup baby spinach, 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp fresh oregano, 1 tbsp fresh thyme, 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion for 5 mins. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 min until fragrant.
Base: Add tomato paste, oregano, and thyme. Cook for 1–2 mins to caramelize the paste.
Simmer: Stir in sundried tomatoes, chickpeas, orzo, and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Cook Orzo: Simmer for 10–12 mins until orzo is tender, stirring occasionally.
Finish: Stir in olives, coconut cream, and spinach. Cook for 2 mins until spinach is wilted. Taste before adding salt.
Notes
The Salt Warning: Taste before seasoning! Olives and sundried tomatoes provide significant natural salt and brine, so you may only need pepper.
Olive Selection: Castelvetrano olives are recommended for their buttery, mild flavor, while Manzanilla olives offer a sharper, more piquant punch.
Orzo Absorption: If making ahead, the orzo will absorb liquid. Add a splash of stock when reheating to restore the original silky consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup / Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 890
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 9
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: green olive soup, mediterranean orzo soup, vegan creamy soup, chickpea and olive recipes, coconut cream soup