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Vegetarian, Maghreb and Middle East

Doubara with bread

Doubara is a spicy soup sauce from Biskra made with chickpeas and fava beans, eaten by dunking bread into it. For 4 people, it takes 40 minutes to make, rates as easy, and costs €1.30 per person. The trick to getting it right is mashing some of the chickpeas to thicken the sauce without adding any cream.

A doubara, the spicy chickpea and fava bean soup from Biskra, meant to be eaten by dunking bread right into it.

Doubara with bread
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.30
Calories per person
650 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall

Doubara is a thick sauce of chickpeas and fava beans, spiced with cumin, chili, and harissa, eaten mostly by dunking bread into it. The chili brings warmth without burning, a squeeze of lemon adds brightness at the end, and the texture turns creamy the moment you mash a few legumes into the sauce. It's a generous dish, built for soaking up every bite.

This is the kind of dish you make on a weeknight when you want something warm and comforting without spending hours in the kitchen. With just canned goods and a few pantry spices, it works equally well for a last minute dinner or a vegetarian meal shared among adults. Kids sensitive to spice will do better with a milder version.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Canned chickpeasoften in the pantry 2 can
  • Canned fava beansoften in the pantry 1 can
  • Cuminoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Chili powderoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Harissaoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Garlic 4 cloves
  • Lemon 1

Bakery

  • Baguette 1

Allergens Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Drain the chickpeas and fava beans, keeping a glass of their liquid.

    The liquid from the cans is rich in starch, it helps thicken the sauce.

  2. Heat the oil with the crushed garlic, cumin, chili powder, and harissa for one minute.

    Don't let the garlic turn dark, it gets bitter.

  3. Add the legumes and the reserved liquid, cover, and simmer gently. 20 min

    Mash a good handful with a fork for a creamy texture.

  4. Squeeze the lemon, taste, and adjust the salt and chili.

    The lemon should be noticeable without taking over, add it off the heat.

  5. Pour into bowls and serve with fresh bread.

    A drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of cumin on top finish the dish Moroccan style.

Our tips to get it right

  • Let the sauce simmer on very low heat, it thickens better slowly and gives the cumin and harissa time to blend together.
  • Always set aside some of the canning liquid before adding it, you can adjust the texture as it cooks if the sauce thickens too fast.
  • Warm the baguette just before serving, fresh bread with a bit of crust holds up better against the hot sauce.

The variations

  • Swap the harissa for tomato paste plus a bit more chili powder if you don't have any on hand.
  • For a milder version kids will enjoy, cut the chili in half and serve harissa on the side so everyone can add their own.
  • To save time, skip the long simmer and heat everything for just 10 minutes, the texture will be slightly less smooth but the flavor still comes through.

What to serve it with

  • Fresh bread or crusty baguette
  • Green olives on the side
  • Hot mint tea

Storage

Doubara keeps for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. It freezes well, without the bread, for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in a saucepan, adding a splash of water if it has thickened too much.

Questions about this dish

Can you use fresh fava beans instead of canned?

Yes, as long as you cook and shell them first. Use about 300g of cooked fresh fava beans to replace the can, and save some of the cooking water for the sauce.

Can doubara be made ahead of time?

Yes, it actually tastes better reheated the next day once the spices have had time to settle in. Make the sauce without the lemon and squeeze it in right before serving.

What bread works if you don't have a baguette?

A country loaf or a flatbread works just as well, as long as it's firm enough to dunk without falling apart. Avoid very soft breads that get soggy too quickly.

How do you make this milder for kids?

Cut the chili powder and harissa in half, the cumin alone already gives plenty of flavor. You can also serve harissa on the side so adults can add their own heat.

How long does it take to make a doubara with bread?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a doubara with bread?

About 650 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a doubara with bread cost?

About €1.30 per serving, or €5.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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