Harira (Soup for Ramadan)
"My husband is very picky how he likes his Harira. His sister gave me her recipe so I could make it for him during Ramadan. This soup will keep for several days in the refrigerator or it can be frozen. Sometimes bite size pieces of beef or lamb is added to the soup at the beginning of cooking."
photo by NgocNguyen
- Ready In:
- 1hr 5mins
- Ingredients:
- 22
- Serves:
-
8
ingredients
- 2 cups dried garbanzo beans, soaked overnight
- 1⁄2 cup dry lentils, brown (I have never tried red)
- 3 roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup fresh parsley, unpacked with stems removed
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, unpacked with stems removed
- 2 celery ribs
- 1 small onion
- 2 -3 carrots, peeled
- 1 -2 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 large beef bouillon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ginger
- 1⁄4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1⁄4 teaspoon powdered saffron (for coloring)
- 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon smen
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1⁄2 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten (optional)
- 1⁄2 cup vermicelli, bite size (optional)
directions
- Place the presoaked chickpeas, lentils, & tomatoes into a large pressure cooker (around 6qt-8qt).
- In a food processor, blend the cilantro & parsley into tiny pieces. Add to the cooker. Next dice the celery in the food processor & add it to the cooker. Repeat with the onion & carrots.
- Pour enough water into the pressure cooker to cover the vegetables (about half full, depending on the size of the pressure cooker).
- Add the oil, bouillon, spices, & smen to the pot & cover with the lid. Cook for 15 minutes, after it begins to hiss.
- Meanwhile, mix the flour with 1 cup of warm water until it is smooth. Put a small pot of water on to boil.
- Uncover, then stir in enough boiling water to bring pressure cooker nearly full. Next gently stir in the tomato paste along with the flour mixture.
- Turn the heat on medium-low then simmer the soup, uncovered, for additional 15-20 minutes, stirring from time to time.
- If using eggs and/or vermicelli, wait until 10 minutes before the soup is done then add them.
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Reviews
-
4 1/2 good stars. I made this with brown lentils, a good canned plum tomatoes which I chopped myself, half the cilantro as I didn't have enough, white cooking onion, homemade chicken stock rather than bullion to be gluten/corn/soy free, garlic salt as I didn't have garlic powder, I just used less salt, butter instead if smen, rice flour to be gluten free and no optionals as DH likes it without We added freshly squeezed lemon juice to our individual portions which really made a big difference and something I recommend. Made for NA*ME Tag! -
Made this during Ramadan but would enjoy this anytime of the year. I loved it. I did omit a few things due to personal preferrances. I thought this was a really good soup, I will make this again...especially in the fall, it was similiar to a creamy tomato soup full of flavor and different textures. I dont like lentils that much, but in this soup its a must have. Thank you for the recipe.
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
Nasseh
United States
Follower of Jesus: I have a strong faith in God & his love for all of us. He is the first & last in my life and it is my desire to tell others of His greatest gift to us...His Son. Explorer: I love to learn about new cultures & try new foods. While in Morocco I learned to appreciate the use of spices. Wife: I'm married to my best friend. Sister: I am the oldest of six children. Mother: My son lives in CA while my daughter lives close to me. Grandmother: My beautiful granddaughter has stolen my heart.
