Moroccan Harira
A hearty, soul-warming Moroccan staple, this fragrant tomato and lentil soup is packed with aromatic spices and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
- •2 tablespoons olive oil
- •1 medium onion, finely chopped
- •200g lamb or beef, cut into small 1/2-inch cubes
- •1 teaspoon ground ginger
- •1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- •1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- •1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes, blended until smooth
- •1/2 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
- •1 can (400g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- •1 liter beef or vegetable broth
- •1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- •1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- •1/4 cup vermicelli noodles
- •2 tablespoons tomato paste
- •1 tablespoon all-purpose flour mixed with 3 tablespoons water (slurry)
- •1 lemon, cut into wedges for serving
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté the onion until translucent.
- 2
Add the meat cubes and brown them on all sides, then stir in the ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and black pepper.
- 3
Pour in the blended tomatoes, broth, lentils, and half of the chopped herbs. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 25 minutes.
- 4
Add the chickpeas, tomato paste, and the remaining herbs. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
- 5
Stir in the vermicelli noodles and the flour slurry. Cook for 5 more minutes until the soup thickens slightly and the noodles are tender.
- 6
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Serve hot with fresh lemon wedges on the side.
💡 Chef tips
- For a deeper flavor, toast your spices in the oil for 30 seconds before adding the liquid.
- Harira tastes even better the next day as the spices continue to meld; store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, simply omit the meat and increase the chickpeas or add diced celery and carrots.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished soup should be rich and velvety with a deep red hue, smelling of warm cinnamon and fresh herbs, with a savory, slightly tangy flavor profile.