Garbanzo Soup

Ingredients

 * 2 1/2 qt. water
 * 5 cloves garlic
 * 3 fresh oregano sprigs
 * 2 whole cloves
 * 1 tbs. salt
 * 1 tbs. ground cumin
 * 1 tsp. black pepper
 * 3 bay leaves, broken
 * 1 or 2 fresh basil sprigs
 * 5 chicken bouillon cubes
 * 1 frying chicken cut up
 * Vegetables
 * Juice of two limes
 * 1 medium zucchini, chopped
 * 1 yellow onion, chopped
 * 2 stalks celery, chopped
 * 1 carrot, chopped
 * 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
 * 1 can (17 ounces) garbanzo beans, drained

Directions

 * Bring the water to a boil, and then add all the stock ingredients, including the chicken.
 * Skim the foam from the top as the soup simmers for 1 to 1 1/2 hr..
 * Remove the chicken, debone it and shred the meat when cool.
 * Strain the stock and chill.
 * This hardens the fat for easy removal.
 * Remove fat from stock. Reheat and add the juice of two limes.
 * Add all the vegetables except the beans and cook just until tender-crisp, about 20 minutes.
 * Add the shredded chicken and garbanzo beans. Heat until chicken and beans are hot throughout.