Imagine a nice big-bowl of hot broth, noodles, meat, veggies, and herbs, isn’t it a wonder? Soup is good for the Soul! It is cosy and best enjoyed during cold winters. Soup can also be enjoyed as a snack or a healthy breakfast, starter, dinner or when you want to eat something light but stomach- filling. It does not require any special occasions to relish the freshness and goodness. Above all it is healthy, comforting, easy to prepare and super tasty.
The Moroccan-style soup leaves no ingredient missing. It is packed with spices, meat, lentils, veggies, vermicelli noodles and herbs. Harira is usually prepared with meat tossed in onion. Lentils and chickpeas are indulged into tomato puree making a rich broth. Spices add warmth and flavour whereas the coriander and parsley add on to the freshness. Moroccan Harira also includes Vermicelli, which is like a cherry on top. The soup is so rich and full of textures. It is mildly spicy and salted with lots of flavours and a light hint of butter.
Harira is a traditional comforting soup of Morocco. It is widely consumed during the month of Ramadan for breaking long fasts as it is satisfying. The Soup was initially discovered in 20000 BC in China. Soups have a medicinal history. Earlier, soup was consumed by the masses when they fell sick, as they are packed with disease-fighting nutrients. They also boost the immune system.
Here’s the recipe for Moroccan Harira.
Ingredients:
• 250 gm small and equally diced lamb.
• 200 gm finely diced tomatoes
• 75 gm green chillies
• 75 gm dried chickpeas
• 75 gm vermicelli noodles
• 70 gm tomato purée
• 1 brown onion
• 25 gm all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup finely chopped celery leaves
• ¼ cup finely chopped parsley
• ¼ cup finely chopped coriander
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tsp salt
• ¾ tsp ginger powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
Method:
1. In a pot, heat some water and add chickpeas. Soak the chickpeas overnight .
2. In a large heated pan, put some butter and allow it to melt over high heat.
3. Now, add in the diced lamb pieces and sear. Stir occasionally to form a deep brown colour and form on the base of the pot.
4. Turn the heat over low flame and add chopped onions.
5. Sauté the onions and the meat together until it is translucent.
6. Add water and cook for 2 minutes. Now add in the chopped tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, celery, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, salt and more water. Mix well. Bring the curry to a boil.
7. Once it boils, cover and cook over low flame for 45 minutes. Allow it to simmer.
8. Check the meat, lentils and chickpeas. When turned soft add in the tomato paste. Mix well.
9. Add ½ cup of water with flour and make a paste. Then, mix it in the pan to thicken the stew. Cook for 2 minutes.
10. Add vermicelli noodles along with finely chopped coriander and parsley.
11. Stir it continuously and let it cook for 10 minutes or until soft.
12. Turn off the flame.
13. Garnish with coriander leaves and lemon wedges.
14. Serve hot.
You can also add vegetables instead of meat if you are vegetarian. Relish the warmth, comforting and flavorful Moroccan Harira with some simple ingredients at home.