Lablébi (Tunisian Chickpea Stew)
Lablébi is Tunisia’s ultimate comfort food — a humble chickpea stew flavored with cumin, garlic, and harissa, served over torn pieces of bread and topped with olive oil, capers, olives, and sometimes a poached egg. It’s cheap, filling, and deeply satisfying — the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out.
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Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 380kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chickpeas with some cooking liquid reserved
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 –2 tbsp harissa to taste
- 3 –4 slices stale bread baguette or country-style bread, torn into pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil plus extra for drizzling
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 eggs soft-boiled or poached, optional
- 6 –8 olives black or green, pitted and halved
- 1 tbsp capers optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chickpeas: In a saucepan, warm the chickpeas with some of their cooking liquid. Add the garlic, cumin, and a pinch of salt. Simmer for 10 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the harissa: Stir in harissa to taste. Adjust with more liquid if you prefer a soupier consistency.
- Prepare the bowls: Place torn bread pieces in the bottom of serving bowls. Ladle the hot chickpea mixture over the bread, allowing it to soak.
- Add toppings: Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Top with olives, capers, and eggs (if using). Season with black pepper.
- Garnish: Finish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Traditional lablabi is often served for breakfast, especially in winter.
Adjust spice level by adding more or less harissa.
Some versions include tuna or pickled vegetables for extra flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 380kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 15g