Harira Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tbspolive oil
extra virgin
- 1 largeonion
- 1stalk celery
- 2 clovesgarlic
- 2 tbsptomato paste
- 2 tspground ginger
optional
- 2 tspturmeric
- 1 tspcumin
- ¼ tspred pepper flakes
- 1 pinchsaffron
optional
- ¼ tspcinnamon
optional
- 6 cvegetable broth
+ 1 more cup if you add pasta
- 1 cancrushed tomatoes
- ½ cdried green lentils
- 1 canchickpeas
- 1 tspsalt
- ⅛ tspblack pepper
- ¼ cparsley
- ¼ ccilantro
optional
- ¼ ccelery leaves
optional
- ¼ cflour
optional
- 5 ozangel hair pasta
optional
Directions
- 1
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot. Add 1 large onion, 1 stalk celery (both chopped) and sauté for 4 minutes until soft.Add 2 cloves garlic (grated), 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 2 teaspoons turmeric, 1 teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 pinch saffron (optional), and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional).Cook for 1 more minute or until fragrant. Add a splash of water if the pot dries.
- 2
Stir in 6 cups vegetable broth, 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes, ½ cup dried green lentils (rinsed), 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas (drained).Season with 1 teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper.Simmer 40 minutes or until the lentils are cooked. Stir occasionally.
- 3
Stir in ¼ cup parsley, ¼ cup cilantro, ¼ cup celery leaves, all chopped.Optional step: whisk ¼ cup flour in 1 cup of water and add it to the soup to make velvety and creamy.Optional step: break 5 ounces angel hair pasta with your hands and add it in with 1 more cup of vegetable broth.
- 4
Finish cooking, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente.Serve harira as a main course with a dollop of Greek yogurt, fresh herbs or a drizzle of skhug, squeezed lemon, quick pickled red onions or preserved lemons.
Harira Soup
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 13 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a hearty, high-protein meal that warms you from the inside out? This one-pot Harira Soup delivers rich, complex flavors and satisfying ingredients perfect for any occasion. It's a Moroccan recipe packed with nourishing lentils and chickpeas.
Why This Harira Soup Works
This Harira Soup recipe truly shines as a one-pot wonder, simplifying your cooking process without sacrificing depth of flavor. What makes it special is the harmonious blend of robust ingredients like lentils and chickpeas with a fragrant spice profile including turmeric, cumin, and a hint of red pepper flakes. The thoughtful inclusion of optional ingredients like ginger, saffron, and cinnamon allows you to easily customize the soup to your preference, ensuring a perfect bowl every time.
What to Expect
Prepare for a truly comforting and richly spiced experience. You'll find yourself diving into a thick, flavorful broth, abundant with tender lentils and wholesome chickpeas. The warm spices create an inviting aroma and a satisfying taste that is both exotic and familiar. This Harira Soup is designed to be a complete main course, offering a substantial and deeply flavorful meal that will leave you feeling nourished and content. It’s a wonderful exploration of Moroccan flavors, surprisingly easy to achieve in your own kitchen.
Customization & Variations
Harira Soup is incredibly adaptable! Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes. You can enhance the aromatic profile with ground ginger, a pinch of saffron, or a touch of cinnamon for deeper warmth. For extra freshness, don't skip the optional cilantro and celery leaves. If you prefer a thicker soup, consider adding the optional flour as a thickening agent, or stir in angel hair pasta for a heartier texture, remembering to add an extra cup of vegetable broth if you do.
Serving & Context
This high-protein Harira Soup makes for an excellent main course on its own, perfect for cozy evenings or a nourishing lunch. Serve it with a simple piece of crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the flavorful broth.