ROASTED EGGPLANT CHICKPEA SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place eggplant, garlic cloves, chickpeas, tomatoes and onion into a large bowl. Coat with olive oil, cumin, nutmeg and salt. Mix thoroughly so that the vegetables are covered.
• Spread the coated vegetables onto the baking sheet and place in oven. Roast for thirty minutes, mixing every 10 minutes to prevent sticking and burning.
• Remove vegetables and place in pot, preferably a heavy, cast iron pot.
• Add vegetable stock, tahini, and lemon juice. Simmer on low-medium for 20 minutes. Stir occassionaly.
• If using an immersion hand blender, add 1/4 cup of milk and blend. Add milk 1 tbsp at a time, until the soup reaches the desired consistency. If using a regular blender, place the vegetables in the blender, doing it in batches if necessary. Add 1/4 cup of milk, slowly adding milk 1 tbsp at a time until desired consistency is reached. Remember to cover the hole on the blender with a towel and not the cap in order to let steam escape and prevent the soup from exploding.
• Serve hot with freshly grated aged white cheddar cheese or goat cheese and fresh french bread.