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

Preparation
Get these tasks done before you start cooking.
Preparing the Base
- 1
Heat Oil
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- 2
Sauté Vegetables
Add onion, celery, and garlic, sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
- 3
Add Spices
Stir in ground cumin, ginger, turmeric, and paprika, cook for another 2 minutes.
Tip: Adjust the spice levels according to your taste preference.
Making the Tomato Broth
- 1
Cook Tomatoes
Add diced tomatoes and tomato paste, cook until tomatoes are softened, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Add Stock and Saffron
Pour in vegetable stock or water, add saffron water, and season with salt and pepper.
- 3
Simmer
Bring to a gentle simmer.
Tip: Do not boil the saffron mixture; it will lose its delicate aroma.
How to Make Moroccan Harira with Lentils and Saffron
Total time: 1 h 47 min · Yields 6 servings
- 1
Simmer Lentils
Add lentils to the pot and simmer for 40 minutes until soft.
- 2
Add Chickpeas and Noodles
Stir in chickpeas and vermicelli, cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- 3
Final Touch
Mix in cilantro and parsley just before serving.
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