Harira (Moroccan Tomato, Lentil & Beef Soup)

Harira (Moroccan Tomato, Lentil & Beef Soup)

from eatingwell.com
Dinner
329 kcal / serving

Harira is a tomato-based soup featured at the center of many Moroccan tables during the month of Ramadan. This version features chickpeas, lentils, beef and noodles in a fragrant tomato broth.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 poundbeef stew meat, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 mediumonion, diced
  • 2stalks celery, chopped
  • ¾ cupminced fresh cilantro, divided, plus more for garnish
  • ¾ cupminced fresh parsley, divided
  • 8 cupswater
  • 128-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cupdry brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 1 cupno-salt-added canned chickpeas, rinsed
  • 1 tablespoonground pepper
  • 2 teaspoonsground ginger
  • 1 ½ teaspoonssalt
  • ½ teaspoonground turmeric
  • ½ teaspoonground cinnamon
  • 1 cupfideo noodles or broken vermicelli

Directions

  1. 1

    Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add beef, onion, celery and ¼ cup each cilantro and parsley. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the onion and celery are softened, about 10 minutes.

  2. 2

    Add water, tomatoes and their juice, lentils, chickpeas, pepper, ginger, salt, turmeric and cinnamon to the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, covered and stirring once or twice, until the beef and lentils are tender, about 45 minutes.

  3. 3

    Stir the soup well; add noodles. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the remaining ½ cup each cilantro and parsley. Serve garnished with more cilantro, if desired.