In the heart of Moroccan cuisine lies harira, a hearty and flavorful lamb stew that epitomizes the country's rich culinary heritage. This beloved dish is a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring tender lamb, a medley of vegetables, and an aromatic broth infused with a symphony of spices. Harira is not just a meal; it's a culinary journey that captures the essence of Moroccan hospitality and warmth.
This article presents a comprehensive guide to making harira, providing two variations of this classic dish: the traditional Moroccan harira and a simplified version for those seeking a more accessible approach. The traditional recipe delves into the depths of Moroccan culinary traditions, introducing a diverse array of spices and ingredients that create a complex and captivating flavor profile. The simplified version streamlines the process, making it more approachable for home cooks while preserving the core flavors of this beloved stew.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or a culinary novice, this article will guide you through the steps of preparing harira, ensuring a delicious and authentic result. Discover the secrets of creating the perfect broth, selecting the finest lamb cuts, and blending the harmonious mix of spices that define this iconic dish. Along the way, you'll also uncover the fascinating history of harira, its cultural significance in Morocco, and its variations across different regions.
So, embark on this culinary adventure, immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Morocco, and let the enticing aroma of harira fill your kitchen. This article holds the key to unlocking the secrets of this beloved stew, promising a culinary experience that will transport you to the heart of Moroccan hospitality.
HARIRA - MOROCCAN LAMB STEW
I learned how to make this from an ex-boyfriend's mother. This stew has a very unique flavor. You can substitute beef if you prefer.
Provided by Mirj2338
Categories Stew
Time 2h45m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Place the lamb, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, margarine, 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.
HARIRA SOUP
Harira, a savory Moroccan soup made with dried legumes - lentil, chickpeas, fava beans - is traditionally cooked with lamb or lamb broth, but this version is vegetarian. Though it is typically eaten to break the fast during Ramadan, it is served throughout the rest of the year as well. The soup tastes best the following day, when flavors have melded, but may thicken when refrigerated. Thin with water or broth when reheating, and adjust the salt.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories soups and stews, appetizer
Time 2h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Put olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened and lightly colored, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in garlic, ginger, pepper, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, saffron and cinnamon. Cook for about 2 minutes more.
- Add tomato, celery leaves and cilantro and bring to a brisk simmer. Cook, stirring, about 5 minutes, until mixture thickens somewhat, then add 1 teaspoon salt, the brown lentils, red lentils and dried favas. Add 8 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, covered with the lid ajar.
- Let soup simmer for 30 minutes, then taste broth and adjust salt. Cook for 1 hour more at a gentle simmer, until the legumes are soft and creamy. It may be necessary to add more liquid from time to time to keep soup from being too porridge-like. It should be on the thick side, but with a pourable consistency. (With every addition of water, taste and adjust for salt.)
- Just before serving, add pasta and let cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Ladle soup into small bowls and pass lemon wedges for squeezing.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 302, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 51 grams, Fat 5 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 16 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 353 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams, TransFat 0 grams
CLASSIC MOROCCAN HARIRA: TOMATO, LENTIL, AND CHICKPEA SOUP
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Heat up the cooking oil in a 6-quart or larger pressure cooker. Add the meat.
- Cook for a few minutes, stirring to brown all sides.
- Add the pureed tomatoes, kosher salt, turmeric, parsley, cilantro, celery, pepper, cinnamon, ginger, onion, chickpeas, and smen (if using). Stir and add 3 cups of the water.
- Cover tightly and heat over high heat until pressure is achieved. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and release the pressure.
- Add the lentils, tomato paste mixture, and the remaining 8 cups (2 quarts) of water. If at any point there's an oily surface forming on top of the soup, simply skim it off and discard. This can happen because of the meat's fat, if left on.
- Have the rice or vermicelli at hand, if using, but don't add yet.
- Cover the pot and heat the soup over high heat until pressure is achieved. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking. If adding rice, cook the soup on pressure for 30 minutes. Release the pressure and add the rice. Cover and cook with pressure for an additional 15 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if desired. If using vermicelli, cook the soup on pressure for 45 minutes. Release the pressure, and add the vermicelli. Simmer the soup, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes or until the vermicelli is plump and cooked. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if desired.
- While the soup is cooking, make a soup thickener by mixing together the flour and water.
- Mix well, but if the mixture is not smooth, pass it through a sieve to remove lumps.
- Bring the soup to a full simmer. Slowly, and in a thin stream, pour in 1/4 of the flour mixture. Stir constantly and keep the soup simmering so the flour doesn't stick to the bottom or cooks up in lumps.
- Add another 1/4 of the flour thickener. You will notice the soup beginning to thicken when you've used approximately half the flour mixture. The thickness of harira is up to you.
- Simmer the thickened soup, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes to cook off the taste of the flour. Remove the soup from the heat, serve, and garnish with some chopped parsley. Enjoy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 264 kcal, Carbohydrate 28 g, Cholesterol 27 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 13 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 527 mg, Sugar 6 g, Fat 12 g, ServingSize 6 to 8 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
MOROCCAN LAMB STEW
I came across this recipe some years ago in a woman's magazine and it has become a huge hit with my family. It takes a while to prepare, but it is well worth it! This recipe makes quite a large batch, so you can freeze some for meals at a later stage.
Provided by Slains Girl
Categories Stew
Time 2h45m
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a very large pot.
- Add the meat, ginger, mustard, coriander, cinnamon and sugar. Brown lightly.
- Add the onions and saute until translucent. Add the soy sauces, sweet Thai chilli sauce, stock and honey. Bring to the boil.
- Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 - 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is tender. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and replensh liquids as necessary with water.
- Add the butternut & sweetpotato and cook for a further 15 - 20 minutes or until cooked through and tender.
- Check and adjsut seasoning. Use the cornflour to thicken only if necessary.
- Sprinkle with parsley to garnish and serve with brown rice, couscous or a selection of steamed vegetables.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 499.6, Fat 25.5, SaturatedFat 7.7, Cholesterol 85.8, Sodium 840.6, Carbohydrate 38.9, Fiber 6.2, Sugar 16.6, Protein 30.7
Tips:
- To make the lamb extra tender, marinate it in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, cumin, and paprika for at least 30 minutes before cooking. - If you don't have lamb, you can substitute beef or chicken. - To make the stew ahead of time, cook it according to the recipe and then let it cool completely. Store the stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to serve, reheat the stew over low heat until warmed through. - Serve Harira with crusty bread, rice, or couscous. - Garnish the stew with fresh cilantro, parsley, or mint before serving.Conclusion:
Harira is a hearty and flavorful Moroccan stew that is perfect for a cold winter day. The lamb is fall-apart tender and the broth is rich and flavorful. This stew is sure to warm you up from the inside out.
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