Harira North African Vegetable Soup Recipes

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

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.

VEGETARIAN MOROCCAN HARIRA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, cilantro, parsley, mint, paprika, turmeric, ginger, harissa, and saffron. Add water and cook over medium heat until flavors have combined, about 30 minutes.
• Mix a few tablespoons of soup liquid with flour and cornstarch in a small bowl and return to the soup, stirring in well. Add cherry tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer over low heat until soup thickens, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

NORTH AFRICAN VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• In a soup pot, saute the onions and celery in the oil until onions are translucent.
• Add the spices, potatoes, and carrots and cook for 5 more minutes, stirring often.
• Mix in the tomatoes, tomato juice and stock and simmer until all of the vegetables are almost tender.
• Add the zucchini and vermicelli and simmer for about 5 minutes longer.
• Mix in the chick peas, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.
• Garnish with chopped parsley, mint leaves, and strips of red bell pepper or pimiento.

HARIRA - NORTH AFRICAN VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Set a large pot over med to med-high flame. Add veg oil, when hot, sauté onions and celery until onions are translucent. Add the spices, potatoes, and carrots and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Mix in tomatoes and juice and the 4cups liquid. Bring to a boil on high then lower heat to simmering (small bubbles). Cover and let cook (10-20 minutes, depending on size of veggies and the reliability of my memory) until vegetables are almost tender. Add the vermicelli and zucchini and simmer 5 minutes more until tender. Mix in the chick peas and add salt and pepper to taste. Squeeze in lemon juice and add garnish.