HARIRA (SPICED MOROCCAN VEGETABLE SOUP WITH CHICKPEAS, CILANTRO, AND LEMON)

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image



Harira (Spiced Moroccan Vegetable Soup with Chickpeas, Cilantro, and Lemon) image

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

4 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, diced (about 2 cups)
3 stalks celery, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 large carrots, peeled and cut in rounds
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 to 1 teaspoon harissa or dried red chile flakes, plus more for serving
Salt to taste
1 bunch parsley, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups/75 grams), divided
1 bunch cilantro, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups/75 grams), divided
1 (15-ounce/425-gram) can tomatoes, crushed, or 2 cups (450 grams) tomato sauce
7 cups (1 2/3 liters) chicken or vegetable stock
1 cup (200 grams) dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and cooked or 1 (15-ounce/425-gram) can chickpeas, drained
1 cup (370 grams) green lentils
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose unbleached flour
1 large egg
Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup)

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.

Upsana Shah
[email protected]

I've made this soup several times and it's always a hit. It's so easy to make and the leftovers are even better the next day. I highly recommend this recipe.


Ali raza Abbas alu
[email protected]

This soup is amazing! I made it for my family and they loved it. The flavors are so rich and complex. I will definitely be making this again.


Mujahidgujar Mujahidgujar
[email protected]

I was really impressed with this soup. It's so flavorful and hearty. I love the combination of vegetables and chickpeas. I will definitely be making this again.


Joy Ngoma
[email protected]

This soup was delicious! I made it for a group of friends and everyone loved it. The flavors are so well-balanced and the soup is very filling. I will definitely be making this again.


MD Fahad
[email protected]

I've made this soup several times and it's always a hit. It's so easy to make and the leftovers are even better the next day. I highly recommend this recipe.


Kachi Obi302
[email protected]

This soup is amazing! I made it for my family and they loved it. The flavors are so rich and complex. I will definitely be making this again.


Rosa Estrella
[email protected]

I was really impressed with this soup. It's so flavorful and hearty. I love the combination of vegetables and chickpeas. I will definitely be making this again.


Shathi Aktar
[email protected]

This soup was delicious! I made it for a group of friends and everyone loved it. The flavors are so well-balanced and the soup is very filling. I will definitely be making this again.


Ocean Boss
[email protected]

I've made this soup several times and it's always a crowd-pleaser. It's so easy to make and the leftovers are even better the next day. I highly recommend this recipe.


Zoey Settipane
[email protected]

This soup is amazing! I made it last night and it was a hit with my family. The flavors are so rich and complex, and the chickpeas add a nice bit of protein. I will definitely be making this again.