Harira chickpea and lentil soup is a delicious and nutritious dish that is enjoyed by people of all ages. Originating in North Africa, this hearty soup is a staple in many households and is often served during Ramadan. While there are many variations of harira, the main ingredients typically include chickpeas, lentils, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a variety of spices. The soup is usually thickened with rice or flour and can be served with a variety of toppings, such as yogurt, lemon wedges, or fresh herbs. Harira is a great source of protein, fiber, and vitamins, and it is a delicious way to warm up on a cold day.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
BEST HARIRA (MOROCCAN CHICKPEA & LENTIL SOUP)
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a pot over medium high heat and brown the beef. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside. (Leave the browned bits in the pot, those are going to give our harira tremendous flavor.)
- Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent and they turn golden, 6-8 minutes. Add the celery, garlic and ginger and cook for another two minutes. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, spices preserved lemon and harissa (if using) and let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes.
- Return the beef to the pot with the chickpeas and lentils. Add the broth, bring to a boil, cover and simmer over low heat for one hour. Add the rice, cover and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes.
- Stir in the olives, cilantro and parsley and simmer for another 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste and more harissa if you prefer it spicier.
- Garnish with some chopped fresh cilantro and celery leaves. If you like, serve the harira with lemon wedges to squirt in some lemon juice. Harira is traditionally served with a side serving of dried dates.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 449 kcal, Carbohydrate 47 g, Protein 32 g, Fat 26 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 53 mg, Sodium 1304 mg, Fiber 15 g, Sugar 9 g, ServingSize 1 serving
HARIRA: MOROCCAN CHICKPEA STEW WITH CHICKEN AND LENTILS
Harira is traditionally served each night of Ramadan to break the fast.
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 10h25m
Yield 10 to 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Pick over the chickpeas, cover with cold water, and soak overnight at room temperature. Drain chickpeas and rinse well with cold running water. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a medium stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add the chicken in batches, and cook until well browned, about 4 minutes per batch. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. Add the onions and celery and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the ginger, turmeric, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Return the chicken to the pan and add the tomatoes and their juices, stirring well. Stir in the chicken stock, lentils, and chickpeas and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook at a gentle simmer for 1 hour.
- Add the rice and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and return the soup to a simmer. Cook covered for 30 minutes. Remove the lid, add the cilantro, parsley, and lemon juice and cook, uncovered for 5 minutes.
- Ladle into warmed soup bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro sprigs.
HARIRA (SPICED MOROCCAN VEGETABLE SOUP WITH CHICKPEAS, CILANTRO, AND LEMON)
A Muslim staple to break the daily fast of Ramadan, this soup has crossed over to the Moroccan Jewish tradition of breaking the fast of Yom Kippur.
Provided by Joan Nathan
Categories Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur Soup/Stew Dinner Kosher Vegetarian Chickpea Lentil Parsley Cilantro Carrot Tomato
Yield 8-10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion, celery, and carrots until the onion turns translucent and begin to brown, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add the turmeric, cumin, harissa or chile flakes, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 cup each of the parsley and cilantro, tomatoes, and the stock or water and bring to a boil. If using the soaked chickpeas, drain them and add to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, then add the lentils, another teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of pepper and continue simmering until the chickpeas and lentils are cooked, about 20 minutes more. If using canned chickpeas omit the first 25 minutes of simmering and add with the lentils.
- Whisk the flour, egg, and lemon juice into 2 cups (470 ml) of water. Stir into the soup. Simmer the soup about 5 minutes more and serve, sprinkled with the remaining cilantro and parsley. And don't forget to have some extra harissa in a plate on the side.
HARIRA - CHICKPEA AND LENTIL SOUP
I am posting it here for safe keeping and will be making before long. It looks absolutely delicious. It is a traditional Ramadan Soup. UPDATE - I have now made the soup and love it; I made it with red lentils which worked fine.
Provided by Deantini
Categories Clear Soup
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Chop 2 tbsp each of cilantro and parsley, set aside.
- Tie together the remainder of the parsley and cilantro bunches and place in large sauce pan. Add chicken stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minute Discard herb bundle.
- Add lentils, cover and simmer for 15 minute.
- Add chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, tumeric, and pepper, cover and simmer for 30 minute.
- Remove 3 cups of soup and blend with hand blender or food processor.
- Return to pot and heat through. Stir in lemon juice, oil and reserved herbs.
- Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with cinnamon and top of lemon slices and dates.
MOROCCAN HARIRA RECIPE
Harira is a thick and wholesome Moroccan soup, that is enjoyed all year round. Easy to make, this flavorful one-pot soup can be made in plenty and is a crowd pleaser.
Provided by Roxana Begum
Categories Soups
Time 1h15m
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in a large cooking pot over medium-high. Pat dry chicken pieces, transfer to pot in a single layer and brown on both sides at high heat.
- Add diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in celery, garlic, ginger, black pepper, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon and cook for 2 minutes.
- Then add salt, crushed tomatoes, water, lentils, half the herbs and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until lentils are cooked soft, about 30 minutes.
- De-bone the chicken and discard the bones. Shred the chicken and add it back to the soup. Add more liquid as needed to keep the soup consistency thick but pourable. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Next add canned chickpeas and pasta to the soup. And cook until pasta is al dente, about 5 to 10 minutes. (see notes)
- In a small bowl, take the flour and add water, little by little, to make a thin paste. Add this flour paste gradually to the simmering soup, while stirring continuously. The consistency of the soup should be thick and velvety.
- Stir in lemon juice as per taste. Top the soup with saffron water, remaining herbs and ghee. Serve it hot with lemon wedges on the side.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Cup, Calories 171 kcal, Carbohydrate 20 g, Protein 8 g, Fat 7 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Sodium 264 mg, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 3 g, UnsaturatedFat 5 g
HARIRA (MOROCCAN LENTIL SOUP)
Tomato soup with lentils,chickpeas, and vermicelli pasta. Perfect for those cold winter days. This soup is served everyday during the holy month of Ramadan. This is a modified recipe from my mother.
Provided by misscasablanca
Categories Lentil
Time 2h50m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Chop celery, onion, cilantro.
- Place the lamb (bones optional, for flavoring), spices, margarine, celery, onion, and cilantro into a large pot over a low heat.
- Stir tomatoes(without juice) into the mixture and let simmer for 15 minutes.
- Pour tomato juice, 7 cups water, and the lentils into the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Let soup simmer, covered, for 2 hours. Stirring occasionally.
- About 10 minutes before serving turn the heat to medium-high, place chickpeas and vermicelli into the soup, let cook about 10 minutes.
- Serve soup with lemon wedges on the side.
- This is optional: serve with warm slices of bread, dates and boiled eggs (cut in half and sprinkled with cumin and salt).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 189, Fat 6.5, SaturatedFat 2.1, Cholesterol 20, Sodium 157.8, Carbohydrate 23, Fiber 4.4, Sugar 3.3, Protein 10.4
Tips:
- Soak lentils and chickpeas overnight or for at least 4 hours: This will help them cook faster and more evenly.
- Use a large pot: Harira expands as it cooks, so make sure you have a pot that is large enough to accommodate the ingredients.
- Don't overcrowd the pot: If you overcrowd the pot, the lentils and chickpeas will not cook evenly.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes: This will allow the flavors to develop and the lentils and chickpeas to become tender.
- Season to taste: Add salt, pepper, and cumin to taste.
- Serve hot: Harira is best served hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Conclusion:
Harira is a delicious and healthy soup that is perfect for a cold day. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like it mild or spicy, with or without meat, harira is a soup that everyone can enjoy. So next time you are looking for a comforting and flavorful meal, give harira a try. You won't be disappointed!
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