Italian Chickpea Soup

I found this in last month's Vegetarian Times. I love love this this mag. Thank's Megs for the subscription.....

Italian Chickpea Soup

Ingredients

• 4 cups low sodium veg broth
• 1 medium onion ( I used one leek - while parts), chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 small bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 (19 oz) cans of chickpeas, rinsed and drained (about 4 cups)
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into cubes
• 1 stalk of celery, finely diced (1/2 cup)
• 1 Tbsp of Dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley (which we just happen to have rescued from the frost and keep in a pot in our kitchen)

Directions:

Saute leeks, celery and garlic in a bit of olive oil, added herbs and spices and saute for a few more minutes, then added chickpeas, sweet potatoes, mustard, stock and 3 cups of water.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until vegetables are very soft.
Using a potato masher, puree the soup (at least the vegetables). The chickpeas will remain mostly whole.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and fresh parsley.