Here's a twist on the famous Harira, a Moroccan soup typically eaten during Ramadan to break the fast. Paired with dates or pastries like Chebakya, this nutritious and flavorful soup is ideal for a hearty family meal. It's distinguished by its generous composition of vegetables, legumes, and spices, making it a complete dish.
INGREDIENTS (SERVES 6)
To prepare homemade Harira, you will need the following ingredients:
- 200 g dried chickpeas
- 100 g of lentils
- 900 g of meat in pieces (beef or lamb)
- 800 g of fresh tomatoes
- 50 g of tomato paste
- 300 g of finely chopped celery
- 200 g chopped fresh coriander
- 200 g chopped parsley
- 400 g chopped onion
- 1 g of saffron
- 2 g of turmeric powder
- 2 g black pepper
- 20 g of salt
- 1 meat stock cube
- 7 cl of olive oil
- 4 liters of water
- 25 g of vermicelli
- 50 g of corn starch
- 5 g of smen (rancid butter, optional)
PREPARATION OF HARIRA
Start the day before by soaking the chickpeas and lentils separately in cold water. The next day, peel the chickpeas after soaking and drain the lentils well. Set these legumes aside.
Cut the meat into small pieces. Peel and finely chop the tomatoes, or blend them if you prefer a smoother texture.
Finely slice the celery and onions. In a large casserole dish, heat the olive oil over medium heat and brown the meat for a few minutes. Then add the chopped onions, celery, cilantro, and parsley, and sauté for about 3 minutes.
Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, saffron, turmeric, pepper, chickpeas, lentils, and stock cube. Mix well to coat the ingredients with the spices.
Add water to the mixture, add salt, and simmer over low heat for 1 hour, making sure the vegetables and legumes are tender.
In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in cold water, then stir this mixture into the soup to thicken the broth slightly. Stir in the vermicelli noodles and cook for a few more minutes, until tender.
Serve your Harira piping hot, garnished with a few additional fresh herbs if desired. You can also add smen for a more authentic touch, although this is optional.
Enjoy your meal!
