Harira - Moroccan Lamb and Legume Soup - is loaded with healthy chickpeas, lentils, and vegetables, scented with the exotic flavors of Morocco.
Originating in Morocco but loved throughout the Middle East, Harira is a popular soup during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. While living in Dubai, we had the opportunity to witness first hand the magnificence with which the local residents celebrate this month of fasting. Food and drink are not allowed from dawn until sunset, however it's more than made up for after sunset. Schools and businesses have shortened hours to allow the people to catch up on sleep after long nights of feasting and gathering with friends and family. Restaurants and special festive tents offer every type of delicacy from sunset until dawn. The city is decorated and full of celebrations enjoyed by all, even those who aren't fasting!
I was fortunate enough to have a Moroccan neighbor who invited me to her home at sunset during Ramadan at the time of breaking the fast. Her family breaks the fast relatively simply: dates, freshly squeezed orange juice, various meat and cheese filled pastries (including these fabulous Cheese Sambousek), and this delicious Harira.
For more ideas for the Ramadan iftar table try these Afghan Bolani - potato, green onion, and cilantro stuffed flatbreads or these Turkish gozleme with your choice of four different fillings: spicy lamb or beef, spinach and feta, cheese and herb, and potato and cheese. And for something sweet try these walnut and rose water filled qatayef pastries.
Lamb is cooked in a flavorful broth until falling off the bone tender. I use a whole lamb shoulder but you can use any cut you like that is on the bone to give the broth flavor and that luscious mouth-feel that results from the gelatin in the bone. After the broth is ready, onion, celery, celery leaves, and parsley are sautéed in butter or ghee. The broth and tomato are added. You can use fresh or canned tomatoes, but I like the texture the tomato paste gives to the broth.
The broth is scented with traditional Moroccan spices: turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, and a pinch of saffron. The saffron is optional if you don't have any on hand. Some cooks don't use it, and the Harira is just as delicious without it. Another optional ingredient that I do use, although some other cooks don't, is powdered ginger. I love the brightness it adds to the soup.
Chick peas, lentils, and fine soup noodles are simmered in the broth until tender. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is the finishing touch and gives the Harira its tangy, lemony flavor.
Harira is great served with Cheese Sambousek. I hope you try it!
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Recipe
Harira
Ingredients
For the Lamb broth:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 ½ pounds lamb on bone approximately, I use a whole shoulder (1.1kg)
- bones from the carcasses of 2 chickens or the equivalent
- 1 stalk celery roughly chopped
- 1 carrot roughly chopped
- 1 onion roughly chopped
- 1 bunch parsley
- 2 cubes chicken bouillon
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Harira:
- 2 tablespoons butter or ghee
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 stalks celery with leaves chopped
- 1 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ginger optional
- pinch saffron optional
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 cup dried red/brown lentils pick over and rinsed (7.2oz, 204g)
- 15 oz chickpeas drained (425g)
Instructions
For the Lamb broth:
- Heat oil in a large pan, stock pot, or pressure cooker. When hot, sear the lamb on both sides until browned.
- Add the remaining broth ingredients and cover with water.
- Bring to a boil then simmer until lamb is very tender, this can take several hours in a normal pan. Or cook in the pressure cooker for 1½ hours.
- Strain broth to make 2½ quarts.
For the Harira:
- Melt butter in a large pan. Sauté onion and celery until softened.
- Add parsley and celery leaves and sauté for 1 minute.
- Add turmeric, cinnamon, ground coriander black pepper, ginger, saffron, and tomato paste. Stir for a minute until combined.
- Add 2½ quarts lamb broth and bring to a boil.
- Add lentils and allow to cook until half way tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Add drained chickpeas and fine soup noodles. Cook until noodles and lentils are tender but not mushy.
- Turn off heat. Add lemon juice to taste. It should be bright and lemony, but not overpowering.
- Sprinkle with cilantro. Salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- You can use fresh or canned tomatoes, but I like the texture the tomato paste gives to the broth.
Nutrition
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Amira says
Loved this!
Kelly says
Thanks Amira! So happy you liked it!
Sara says
Could you make this with beef? If so, what cut of beef would you use?
Kelly says
Yes, you could definitely make this with beef, and I have often done so. Use a cut that gets very tender when simmered for a long time like chuck roast.
Tanya says
Would it be possible to make this with ground goat?
Thank you:)
Kelly says
Sure, Tanya. That should work out just fine!
Katie says
I just made this soup for the first time and loved it! The lemon at the end really balanced the flavors well. The stew was very filling but tasted so good, it was hard to stop spooning more into my bowl!
Kelly says
Thanks so much, Katie! So happy you liked it!
Shamzy says
Delicious soup. I make it very often
Kelly says
Thanks so much!
Chris says
Do you shred the lamb into the soup later ?
Kelly says
Chris, yes, I shred the lamb and add it at the very end.
Kate says
I was wondering same thing as it’s not mentioned in the recipe, definitely will be trying this as sounds delicious!
Kelly says
Thanks Kate!
iza says
i love this soup
Kelly says
Thanks! Me too!