Kubbeh Hamusta Soup
A vibrant, lemony Iraqi-Jewish soup featuring tender semolina dumplings stuffed with savory ground beef, simmered in a fragrant vegetable broth.
Ingredients
- •1 cup fine semolina
- •1/2 cup water
- •1/2 teaspoon salt
- •250g ground beef
- •1 small onion, finely minced
- •1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- •1/2 teaspoon baharat spice blend
- •2 tablespoons olive oil
- •1 large onion, diced
- •2 stalks celery, sliced
- •2 medium zucchini, diced
- •1 cup Swiss chard or spinach, chopped
- •6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- •1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- •1 teaspoon turmeric
- •1 teaspoon sugar
- •Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1
In a bowl, mix semolina, water, and salt. Knead into a smooth dough, cover with a damp cloth, and let rest for 20 minutes.
- 2
In a separate bowl, combine ground beef, minced onion, parsley, baharat, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well.
- 3
Take a small amount of dough, flatten it in your palm, place a teaspoon of the meat mixture in the center, and fold the edges to seal into a smooth ball.
- 4
In a large pot, heat olive oil and sauté the diced onion and celery until softened.
- 5
Add turmeric, stock, zucchini, and chard. Bring to a gentle boil.
- 6
Carefully drop the prepared kubbeh balls into the simmering soup one by one.
- 7
Cover and simmer on low heat for 35-40 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through and tender.
- 8
Stir in the lemon juice and sugar, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve hot.
💡 Chef tips
- Keep a small bowl of water nearby to wet your hands while shaping the kubbeh; this prevents the dough from sticking to your palms.
- You can prepare the kubbeh balls in advance and freeze them on a tray before transferring to a bag, then drop them directly into the boiling soup from frozen.
- For a deeper flavor, add a handful of frozen peas or chopped leeks to the soup base.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished soup is bright, golden, and aromatic with a distinct citrus tang, featuring soft, pillowy dumplings that yield to a savory, spiced meat center.