Chic Pea Soup - Leblabi

Fresh cilantro really adds flavor to this Tunisia soup.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. dried chic peas
10 cups water
4 large cloves of garlic, crushed
1 hot pepper, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, washed and finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground caraway
1 teaspoon oregano
3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
3 Tablespoons of olive oil
dry croutons

Directions:
Soak the chic peas in the 10 cups of water overnight..
Into a large saucepan put the beans and the water. Bring to a boil.
Cover, reduce heat to medium and cook for 2 hours.
Add the remaining ingredients with exception of the lemon juice,
olive oil and the croutons.
Continue to cook over medium heat another 30 minutes
or until the beans are tender. Remove from the heat
and stir in the lemon juice and the olive oil.
Add to individual bowls and garnish with croutons.