I grew up enjoying Split Pea Soup, also known as Bissara, in Morocco, especially during the cold winter months.
This staple comfort food is not only easy to make at home but is also widely available in small local cafés, where it’s often served for breakfast.
Bissara is traditionally served with fresh Moroccan bread, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of cumin, a simple yet perfect combination.
And in this guide, I’ll take you through each step to recreate it at home.
Bissara- Moroccan Split Pea Soup Recipe
Bissara is a hearty and flavorful soup that is both nutritious and comforting, making it a staple in Moroccan cuisine.
Servings 4
Cost 2$
Equipment
- Pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups dried split peas soaked for at least 1 hour and drained
- 4 cups water
- 2 medium-sized garlic cloves peeled and grated
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground paprika
- ¼ teaspoon extra hot chili powder or any spicy powder like red pepper or habanero
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
Prepare the Split Peas
- Place the soaked and drained split peas, grated garlic, and 4 cups of water into the pot.
- Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Allow the pressure to release naturally.
Blend the Soup
- Once the split peas are tender, let the mixture cool slightly.
- Use a food processor or immersion blender to blend the mixture until smooth.
- If the soup is too thick, add a little water to achieve your desired consistency.
Season the Soup
- Return the blended soup to the pot (if using a food processor).
- Stir in the ground cumin, ground paprika, extra hot chili powder, ground black pepper, salt, and extra virgin olive oil.
- Simmer gently for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
- Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil if desired.
- Serve with fresh bread, and black olives, for an authentic Moroccan experience.
Notes
- Soaking the split peas before cooking makes them more digestible and reduces cooking time.
- Adjust the level of spiciness by varying the amount of chili powder.
- This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or frozen for longer storage. Reheat gently before serving.
