Harira

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 150 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

Harira is a Moroccan soup made with lamb, lentils, chickpeas, noodles, and spices. It's traditionally used to break the fast each night of Ramadan.

Ingredients

1 pound cubed lamb meat
1 onion, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
3/4 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons margarine
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes
7 cups water
3/4 cup green lentils
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
4 ounces vermicelli pasta
2 eggs, beaten
1 lemon, juiced

Directions

1 Combine lamb, onions, celery, cilantro, margarine, pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne in a large soup pot over low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Pour in tomatoes (without juice) and simmer for 15 minutes.
2 Add water, reserved tomato juice, and lentils. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour 50 minutes.
3 Increase the heat to medium-high and add garbanzo beans and vermicelli pasta. Cook until noodles are tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Stir in eggs and lemon juice and cook for 1 minute.