Best 3 Harira Moroccan Chickpea Stew With Chicken And Lentils Recipes

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Harira, a traditional Moroccan chickpea stew, is a flavorful and hearty dish that is often served during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. This stew is packed with wholesome ingredients like chickpeas, lentils, chicken, and vegetables, making it a nutritious and filling meal. Its unique flavor comes from a blend of spices, including cumin, coriander, and paprika, and the addition of dried fruits like raisins or apricots adds a touch of sweetness and tanginess. Harira can be easily customized to suit different tastes and preferences, with variations that include the addition of beef or lamb, or the use of different vegetables and herbs. This article offers three delicious recipes for harira: a classic version, a vegetarian option, and a quick and easy version using a pressure cooker. Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, a list of ingredients, and cooking tips to ensure a successful and flavorful harira experience. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, these recipes will guide you in creating an authentic and satisfying Moroccan chickpea stew that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul.

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

MOROCCAN HARIRA RECIPE



Moroccan Harira Recipe image

Harira is a thick and wholesome Moroccan soup, that is enjoyed all year round. Easy to make, this flavorful one-pot soup can be made in plenty and is a crowd pleaser.

Provided by Roxana Begum

Categories     Soups

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 23

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
¾ pound chicken leg quarters (or lamb shoulder with bone, cut into smaller pieces)
1 large onion (finely diced, about 2 cups)
2 stalks celery with tender leaves (chopped)
4 garlic cloves (minced)
2½ teaspoons ground ginger ((dried ginger powder))
1½ teaspoons ground black pepper
1½ teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons ground cumin
⅓ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or chili powder)
1 cinnamon stick (or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
1 teaspoon salt (more as needed)
4 cups crushed tomatoes (canned or diced fresh tomatoes)
8 cups water (or stock, more as needed)
1 cup green lentils (or brown lentils, rinsed)
⅓ cup chopped cilantro (parsley or combination)
1 15-ounce canned chickpeas (drained, see note)
¼ pound vermicelli (broken into 1-inch pieces, or ½ cup rice)
2 tablespoons flour (durum whole wheat or all purpose)
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ teaspoon saffron (ground and dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water)
1 tablespoon ghee
Lemon wedges

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large cooking pot over medium-high. Pat dry chicken pieces, transfer to pot in a single layer and brown on both sides at high heat.
  • Add diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in celery, garlic, ginger, black pepper, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Then add salt, crushed tomatoes, water, lentils, half the herbs and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until lentils are cooked soft, about 30 minutes.
  • De-bone the chicken and discard the bones. Shred the chicken and add it back to the soup. Add more liquid as needed to keep the soup consistency thick but pourable. Taste and adjust seasonings.
  • Next add canned chickpeas and pasta to the soup. And cook until pasta is al dente, about 5 to 10 minutes. (see notes)
  • In a small bowl, take the flour and add water, little by little, to make a thin paste. Add this flour paste gradually to the simmering soup, while stirring continuously. The consistency of the soup should be thick and velvety.
  • Stir in lemon juice as per taste. Top the soup with saffron water, remaining herbs and ghee. Serve it hot with lemon wedges on the side.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Cup, Calories 171 kcal, Carbohydrate 20 g, Protein 8 g, Fat 7 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Sodium 264 mg, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 3 g, UnsaturatedFat 5 g

HARIRA (SPICED MOROCCAN VEGETABLE SOUP WITH CHICKPEAS, CILANTRO, AND LEMON)



Harira (Spiced Moroccan Vegetable Soup with Chickpeas, Cilantro, and Lemon) image

A Muslim staple to break the daily fast of Ramadan, this soup has crossed over to the Moroccan Jewish tradition of breaking the fast of Yom Kippur.

Provided by Joan Nathan

Categories     Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur     Soup/Stew     Dinner     Kosher     Vegetarian     Chickpea     Lentil     Parsley     Cilantro     Carrot     Tomato

Yield 8-10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

4 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, diced (about 2 cups)
3 stalks celery, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 large carrots, peeled and cut in rounds
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 to 1 teaspoon harissa or dried red chile flakes, plus more for serving
Salt to taste
1 bunch parsley, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups/75 grams), divided
1 bunch cilantro, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups/75 grams), divided
1 (15-ounce/425-gram) can tomatoes, crushed, or 2 cups (450 grams) tomato sauce
7 cups (1 2/3 liters) chicken or vegetable stock
1 cup (200 grams) dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and cooked or 1 (15-ounce/425-gram) can chickpeas, drained
1 cup (370 grams) green lentils
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose unbleached flour
1 large egg
Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup)

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion, celery, and carrots until the onion turns translucent and begin to brown, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add the turmeric, cumin, harissa or chile flakes, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 cup each of the parsley and cilantro, tomatoes, and the stock or water and bring to a boil. If using the soaked chickpeas, drain them and add to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, then add the lentils, another teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of pepper and continue simmering until the chickpeas and lentils are cooked, about 20 minutes more. If using canned chickpeas omit the first 25 minutes of simmering and add with the lentils.
  • Whisk the flour, egg, and lemon juice into 2 cups (470 ml) of water. Stir into the soup. Simmer the soup about 5 minutes more and serve, sprinkled with the remaining cilantro and parsley. And don't forget to have some extra harissa in a plate on the side.

HARIRA



Harira image

This is the soup that Moroccans traditionally use to break the fast every night of Ramadan. Season with salt, pepper, mint leaves and cinnamon to taste.

Provided by Becky

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Soup Recipes     Noodle Soup Recipes

Time 2h45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 pound cubed lamb meat
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons margarine
¾ cup chopped celery
1 onion, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes
7 cups water
¾ cup green lentils
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
4 ounces vermicelli pasta
2 eggs, beaten
1 lemon, juiced

Steps:

  • Place the lamb, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, butter, celery, onion, and cilantro into a large soup pot over a low heat. Stir frequently for 5 minutes. Pour tomatoes (reserve juice) into the mixture and let simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Pour tomato juice, 7 cups water, and the lentils into the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Let soup simmer, covered, for 2 hours.
  • About 10 minutes before serving turn the heat to medium-high, place chickpeas and noodles into the soup, let cook about 10 minutes (until noodles are al dente). Stir in lemon and eggs, let eggs cook 1 minute.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 467.4 calories, Carbohydrate 50 g, Cholesterol 116.4 mg, Fat 16.7 g, Fiber 13.3 g, Protein 29.4 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 593.8 mg, Sugar 6.5 g

Tips:

  • To make the harira more flavorful, use a combination of olive oil and butter to sauté the vegetables.
  • If you don't have any fresh tomatoes on hand, you can use a can of crushed tomatoes instead.
  • Be sure to rinse the lentils and chickpeas well before cooking them.
  • If you want a thicker harira, add more lentils or chickpeas.
  • Serve the harira with a dollop of yogurt, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some fresh cilantro.

Conclusion:

Harira is a delicious and nutritious Moroccan stew that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken or lamb. The combination of chickpeas, lentils, and vegetables makes this stew a hearty and filling meal. The addition of tomatoes, onions, and spices gives it a rich and flavorful broth. Serve harira with a dollop of yogurt, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some fresh cilantro for a complete and satisfying meal.

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