This soup will make your neighbours think you just opened a restaurants. It fills the whole house with a wonderful smell. The neighbours will probably ring the bell and invite themselves over. So be sure to make a double batch of this recipe.

Berbere, my all time favourite spice mix is back. I have made this spice blend over and over and can never get tired of it. It’s just perfect. You can find the recipe for the version I use online, just scroll down a bit.
This recipe takes some time, but believe me, it’s worth it.
Roasted Cauliflower and Garlic Split Pea Soup with Berbere
(makes 3-4 servings)
100 g split peas (1/2 cup) [I used yellow ones]
1 small head of cauliflower (about 1 1/2 lb)
1 bulb garlic
1 t canola or vegetable oil
white part of one leek, sliced into thin rings
2 carrots, chopped into half moons
1 T berbere spice mix
1 1/2 – 2 t salt [I used 2 t]
2 T tomato paste
1/2 T sweet Hungarian paprika
1/2 t amchoor powder (dried mango powder)
3 cups water
more salt to taste, parsley for serving
Soak split peas in 3 cups water over night.
Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F. Grease a baking dish with oil (a casserole dish works well). Cut cauliflower into large florets and place in baking dish. Wrap garlic in aluminium foil. Place both cauliflower and garlic in the oven. Roast the garlic for 20 minuntes and the cauliflower for one hour. The cauliflower will have brown tops but it will still be firm.
Meanwhile drain and rinse the peas. Add 4 cups of water to a very large pot (about 4 quarts, to prevent the peas from overcooking). Peas and cook for one hour, until soft.
While the peas are cooking, heat a cast iron pan to high heat, add 1 t of oil and fry leeks and carrots for 5 minutes. Add berbere and stir well until the vegetables are coated. Set aside.
Add fried vegetables, cauliflower, garlic, and remaining ingredients (except for parsley) to pea mixture. Cook for 20 minutes and purée. Some remaining bits of cauliflower are okay. Sprinke some fresh parsley on top and serve hot.

















P.S. This was the perfect opportunity to show off my fantastic little coffee maker, which I bought in Portugal at a gorgeous little coffee shop (Casa Pereira, 38 Rua Garrett, Lisboa). It is very handy if you are the only coffee drinker in the family.













