Harira
2017-03-17 09:25:35
Serves 8
A vegetarian soup, more like a stew with a unique and wonderful combination of textures and flavors. Finished with sweet dates, it's amazing!
Ingredients
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 medium onions, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced, leaves reserved
- 6 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
- Pinch of saffron (about 30 threads)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon aleppo pepper
- 2 1/2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups dried lentils, picked over and rinsed
- 6 cups water
- 4-5 tablespoons flour
- Scant 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 can whole tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons fresh marjoram or oregano, chopped
- 3 oz angel hair pasta, broken into 1" pieces
- Chopped fresh Medjool dates, to serve
Instructions
- Chop the cilantro stems finely and set aside in a pile. Chop the leaves and reserve separately. Heat 1/3 cup of the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions, celery, garlic, ginger, and cilantro stems, stir to coat, and cook until softened, 5 minutes. Grind the saffron with the salt into a powder with a mortar and pestle and add to the pot along with the cinnamon, sweet paprika, aleppo pepper and cumin. Stir well, then add the chickpeas and lentils. Add 4 cups of water, stirring to combine and bring to a simmer.
- In a separate large bowl, gradually whisk the remaining 2 cups of water into the flour, being careful to avoid lumps. Add the lemon juice, tomatoes with their juice and most of the remaining cilantro. Stir well breaking up the tomatoes a bit. Add this mixture to the soup and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are cooked through. About 5 minutes before it is done, stir in the marjoram and pasta. Once the pasta is cooked, adjust the seasoning and serve topped with the remaining cilantro leaves, celery leaves, chopped dates and a drizzle of olive oil.
Adapted from Near & Far
Adapted from Near & Far
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