Moroccan Harira (Lentil & Chickpea Soup)

  • 1 C dried or 15 OZ canned garbanzo beans (soak overnight if using dried, drained and rinsed if using canned)
  • 1 LB lamb or beef (stew meat cut into 2″ cubes)
  • 2 TBSP olive oil
  • 1 LG onion (diced fine)
  • 6 cloves galic (minced)
  • 3-4 LG carrots (diced fine)
  • 2 ribs celery (diced fine)
  • ¼ C cilantro, divided (minced)
  • ¼ C parsley, divided (minced)
  • 1 TBS salt
  • ½ TSP black pepper
  • 2 TSP ground ginger
  • 1½ TSP paprika
  • 1 TSP tumeric
  • 1 TSP cumin
  • ¼ TSP cinnamon
  • 8 OZ tomato puree
  • 3 C stock
  • 5-7 C water
  • 1 C red lentils
  • Cornstarch slurry: 2 TSP cornstarch + 2 TSP water
  • 1 C broken vermicelli noodles or white rice
  • Splash lemon juice
  1. In a heavy 6 QT pot over medium-high heat add the oil and brown the meat. Remove the meat from pot and set aside. Drain the excess fat from the pot.
  2. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and half of the cliantro and parsley and sautee until onions are translucent. Stir in all the spices and allow to toast.
  3. Add the tomato paste and stir to combine and coat.
  4. Add the stock, water, chickpeas and lentils (and rice if using). Cover and simmer over low for 25 – 30 minutes or until the beans, lentils and meat are cooked through.
  5. Near the end of cooking add the cornstarch slurry and allow to thicken.
  6. Add the rice noodles (if using) and allow a few minutes to cook through.
  7. Add a dash of lemon juice to taste and the rest of the herbs.

Yields 8 servings.

Calories: 397 | Total Fat: 16.4g | Saturated Fat: 6.5g | Cholesterol: 81.6mg | Sodium: 384mg | Carbs: 32.5g | Fiber: 5.2g | Sugars: 7.1g | Protein: 28.7g