This Moroccan Soup is the Ultimate Comfort Food, Harira

chickpeas

🥗Healthier: edamame

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Canned beans are often cheaper and readily available.

red lentils

🥗Healthier: green lentils

💰Cheaper: split peas

Split peas are economical and nutritious.

vegetable broth

🥗Healthier: homemade broth

💰Cheaper: water + seasoning

Using water with seasoning can reduce costs.

canned tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: frozen tomatoes

Frozen tomatoes are often less expensive and still nutritious.

Soak the chickpeas overnight, drain and wash and rinse the lentils, set aside.

Very finely chop the celery stalks, onion and mince the parsley, coriander and set aside.

Dice the lamb into small, about 1 cm – 1/2 inch large cubes.

Heat up 3 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp clarified butter in a large pan or Dutch oven, heat up and melt.

Switch to high heat and add the lamb, stir occasionally until lightly browned on all sides.

Switch to medium heat, add the diced onions, stir and cook for 5 - 6 mins until translucent.

Add the chopped celery, stir, cook for 2 mins until fragrant and add the chickpeas.

Add the tomato puree, stir and de-glaze the pan.

Add 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp ginger, ½ tsp black pepper and ¼ tsp cinnamon (opt.).

Stir and cook for 1 - 2 mins until fragrant and add 2 cups - 1/2 liters hot water.

Bring to a boil, switch to low heat, let it simmer covered for 45 mins.

Combine 3 tbsp tomato paste with 1 cup of hot water, stir well to combine.

Add tomato sauce, washed lentils, 2 tsp salt and 2 cups hot water, stir and let it simmer for 30 minutes.

In a bowl, mix 1 cup - 200 ml water with 3 tbsp all purpose flour, whisk until you get a smooth slurry.

Add the slurry into the soup while stirring constantly until the slurry is incorporated to the soup.

Add 50 g vermicelli, the chopped parsley and the coriander, stir in.

Let the soup simmer while stirring occasionally for another 10 - 15 mins until the soup is thickened and the vermicelli is cooked.

Serve a bowl, garnish with extra parsley or coriander and generous amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary