Moroccan Harira with Lentils and Saffron

Name: Moroccan Harira with Lentils and Saffron
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Soup
Ingredients: Olive Oil; Onion; Celery; Garlic; Ground Cumin; Ground Ginger; Ground Turmeric; Paprika; Tomatoes; Tomato Paste; Vegetable Stock or Water; Saffron Threads; Salt and Pepper; Green Lentils; Canned Chickpeas; Vermicelli Noodles; Fresh Cilantro; Fresh Parsley; Lemon

A Hearty North African Tomato and Lentil Soup

Harira is a traditional Moroccan soup that combines tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, and a fragrant blend of spices for a comforting and nutritious dish.

1 h 20 min
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Harira Base

Olive Oil

3 tablespoons

Onion

1 large, finely chopped

Celery

2 stalks with leaves, diced

Garlic

3 cloves, minced

Ground Cumin

2 teaspoons

Ground Ginger

1 teaspoon

Ground Turmeric

1 teaspoon

Paprika

1 teaspoon

For the Tomato Broth

Tomatoes

2 large, peeled and diced

Tomato Paste

1/2 cup

Vegetable Stock or Water

6 cups

Saffron Threads

1/2 teaspoon, steeped in 2 tablespoons warm water

Salt and Pepper

To taste

For the Lentil Mixture

Green Lentils

1 cup, rinsed

Canned Chickpeas

1 cup, drained and rinsed

Vermicelli Noodles

1 cup, optional

For Garnishing

Fresh Cilantro

1/2 cup, chopped

Fresh Parsley

1/2 cup, chopped

Lemon

1, cut into wedges

Preparation

Preparing the Base

Heat Oil

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Sauté Vegetables

Add onion, celery, and garlic, sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add Spices

Stir in ground cumin, ginger, turmeric, and paprika, cook for another 2 minutes.

Adjust the spice levels according to your taste preference.

Making the Tomato Broth

Cook Tomatoes

Add diced tomatoes and tomato paste, cook until tomatoes are softened, about 5 minutes.

Add Stock and Saffron

Pour in vegetable stock or water, add saffron water, and season with salt and pepper.

Simmer

Bring to a gentle simmer.

Do not boil the saffron mixture; it will lose its delicate aroma.

Cooking Process

Simmer Lentils

Add lentils to the pot and simmer for 40 minutes until soft.

Add Chickpeas and Noodles

Stir in chickpeas and vermicelli, cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Final Touch

Mix in cilantro and parsley just before serving.

Plating & Serving