Best 3 Harira Chickpea And Lentil Soup Recipes

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Harira is a traditional Moroccan soup that is commonly served during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. This hearty and flavorful soup is made with a variety of ingredients, including chickpeas, lentils, tomatoes, onions, and spices. It is typically served with dates, figs, and almonds. This article provides two recipes for harira: a traditional recipe and a vegan recipe.

The traditional harira recipe includes lamb or beef, while the vegan recipe uses vegetables and lentils to create a meatless version of the soup. Both recipes are easy to follow and can be made in under an hour. Whether you are looking for a traditional Moroccan dish to serve during Ramadan or a hearty and flavorful soup to enjoy any time of year, harira is a great choice.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BEST HARIRA (MOROCCAN CHICKPEA & LENTIL SOUP)



BEST Harira (Moroccan Chickpea & Lentil Soup) image

The national soup of Morocco, this Harira recipe is a total flavor explosion. It's no wonder it's such a popular soup, it will WOW your taste buds!

Provided by Kimberly Killebrew

Categories     Entree     Main Dish     Side Dish     Starter

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 28

3 tablespoons oil
1 pound beef or lamb (,cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
1 large yellow onion (,diced)
2 ribs celery (,diced)
2 cloves garlic (,minced)
2 teaspoons minced ginger
28 ounce can diced tomatoes
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced preserved lemon
2 teaspoons harissa ((for some added flavor and heat))
Homemade Harissa (, click link for recipe (highly recommended!))
8 cups beef or lamb broth
3/4 cup dried chickpeas soaked overnight then rinsed and drained (or one 15 ounce can, drained)
3/4 cup dried French Le Puy lentils ((they hold their shape and texture better than regular brown lentils))
1/4 cup long grain rice ((another traditional alternative is broken up vermicelli pasta))
1/3 cup sliced green olives (,drained and sliced (we used Lindsay Naturals))
1/3 cup sliced black olives (,drained and sliced (we used Lindsay Naturals))
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
Lemon wedges for serving

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a pot over medium high heat and brown the beef. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside. (Leave the browned bits in the pot, those are going to give our harira tremendous flavor.)
  • Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent and they turn golden, 6-8 minutes. Add the celery, garlic and ginger and cook for another two minutes. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, spices preserved lemon and harissa (if using) and let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes.
  • Return the beef to the pot with the chickpeas and lentils. Add the broth, bring to a boil, cover and simmer over low heat for one hour. Add the rice, cover and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes.
  • Stir in the olives, cilantro and parsley and simmer for another 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste and more harissa if you prefer it spicier.
  • Garnish with some chopped fresh cilantro and celery leaves. If you like, serve the harira with lemon wedges to squirt in some lemon juice. Harira is traditionally served with a side serving of dried dates.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 449 kcal, Carbohydrate 47 g, Protein 32 g, Fat 26 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 53 mg, Sodium 1304 mg, Fiber 15 g, Sugar 9 g, ServingSize 1 serving

HARIRA - CHICKPEA AND LENTIL SOUP



Harira - Chickpea and Lentil Soup image

I am posting it here for safe keeping and will be making before long. It looks absolutely delicious. It is a traditional Ramadan Soup. UPDATE - I have now made the soup and love it; I made it with red lentils which worked fine.

Provided by Deantini

Categories     Clear Soup

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 bunch cilantro, fresh
1/2 bunch parsley, fresh
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup green lentil (or brown)
0.5 (19 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 (19 ounce) can tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 lemon, thinly sliced
6 pitted dates, halved (optional)

Steps:

  • Chop 2 tbsp each of cilantro and parsley, set aside.
  • Tie together the remainder of the parsley and cilantro bunches and place in large sauce pan. Add chicken stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minute Discard herb bundle.
  • Add lentils, cover and simmer for 15 minute.
  • Add chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, tumeric, and pepper, cover and simmer for 30 minute.
  • Remove 3 cups of soup and blend with hand blender or food processor.
  • Return to pot and heat through. Stir in lemon juice, oil and reserved herbs.
  • Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with cinnamon and top of lemon slices and dates.

HARIRA: MOROCCAN CHICKPEA STEW WITH CHICKEN AND LENTILS



Harira: Moroccan Chickpea Stew with Chicken and Lentils image

Harira is traditionally served each night of Ramadan to break the fast.

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 10h25m

Yield 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

1/4 pound dried chickpeas
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup diced onions
1/2 cup diced celery
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons turmeric
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes and their juices
1 1/2 quarts rich chicken stock
1/4 pound dried green lentils
1/2 cup long-grain rice
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Cilantro sprigs, for garnishing

Steps:

  • Pick over the chickpeas, cover with cold water, and soak overnight at room temperature. Drain chickpeas and rinse well with cold running water. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil in a medium stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add the chicken in batches, and cook until well browned, about 4 minutes per batch. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. Add the onions and celery and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the ginger, turmeric, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Return the chicken to the pan and add the tomatoes and their juices, stirring well. Stir in the chicken stock, lentils, and chickpeas and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook at a gentle simmer for 1 hour.
  • Add the rice and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and return the soup to a simmer. Cook covered for 30 minutes. Remove the lid, add the cilantro, parsley, and lemon juice and cook, uncovered for 5 minutes.
  • Ladle into warmed soup bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro sprigs.

Tips:

  • Soak the chickpeas and lentils overnight: This will help them cook more evenly and reduce the cooking time.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: This will give your soup more flavor and texture. Some good options include carrots, celery, onions, tomatoes, and spinach.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with spices: Harira is a very versatile soup, so you can adjust the spices to your liking. Some common spices used in harira include cumin, coriander, paprika, and turmeric.
  • Serve harira with a variety of toppings: This will add even more flavor and texture to the soup. Some good options include fresh cilantro, yogurt, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Conclusion:

Harira is a delicious and nutritious soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also very versatile, so you can adjust it to your liking. With its many variations, this hearty and flavorful soup is sure to become a favorite in your home. So next time you're looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, give harira a try!

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