Harira (Moroccan Lamb, Tomato, Chickpea, and Lentil Soup)

Harira is a wonderfully filling and hearty soup originally from Morocco. It can be made with many different ingredients (and can be made vegetarian), but it’s typically made with lamb, chicken, or beef, lentils, and chickpeas in a lightly spicy tomato broth.

This dish is a staple during Ramadan to break the daily fast, and also makes for an awesome dinner on chilly nights!

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 lb lamb chunks
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced (or if you’re like me and don’t like the texture of celery, keep large so you can remove later)
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon harissa paste, depending on your heat tolerance
  • 1 (28oz can) crushed tomatoes
  • ½ cup parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 1 cup brown lentils, rinsed
  • 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz can) chickpeas, drained
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 4 oz vermicelli, broken into smaller, 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch to make gluten free)
  • 1 large egg
  • The juice and zest of 2 lemons

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Lamb and Roasted Cauliflower Stew with Harissa

It really takes me a while to adjust to colder weather. I feel like I’m always freezing! So a warm and hearty meal is a must this time of year, especially a soup or stew.

This recipe for Lamb and Roasted Cauliflower Stew with Harissa from Saveur ups the warmth with some spiciness from harissa, a hot chili pepper paste used in Middle-Eastern cooking.

Ingredients:

  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and divided (omit for dairy free)
  • 2 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, trimmed and cut into 2″ pieces
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 whole tomatoes from a 14oz can of whole tomatoes (~1/2 of the can), chopped
  • 2 red onions, minced
  • 12 head cauliflower (cut into large florets)
  • 13 cup dry white wine
  • 14 cup tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 5 cups beef stock
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 13 cup jarred harissa
  • 8 pitted dates, roughly chopped
  • 12 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 14 cup sliced almonds, toasted

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