ULTIMATE Moroccan Harira
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 45 mins
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Total Time
2 hrs
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
449 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Moroccan, North African
ULTIMATE Moroccan Harira
Description
ULTIMATE Moroccan Harira combines browned beef cubes with a fragrant base of onions, celery, garlic, and ginger, enriched by diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and a distinctive mix of spices including cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Preserved lemon and harissa add a subtle tang and heat. The soup then simmers with soaked chickpeas, French Le Puy lentils, and long-grain rice, which contribute hearty texture and body as they absorb the liquid. Fresh cilantro, parsley, and green and black olives are stirred in near the end, imparting brightness and complexity.
The slow simmering allows flavors to meld and the beef to tenderize, while the legumes and rice create a satisfying meal in a bowl. The addition of lemon wedges provides an optional fresh acidity to balance the rich, spiced broth. Harira’s layered seasoning and combination of ingredients make it a distinctive dish suitable for serving as a robust soup or part of a larger meal.
The recipe notes highlight that the soup often tastes better the next day as flavors deepen, though the lentils and rice will thicken the soup over time and may require adding broth to adjust consistency. For make-ahead preparation, simmering the soup partially and adding the rice later maintains texture and convenience.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 1 pound beef cut into 1/2 inch cubes, or lamb
- 1 yellow onion diced, large
- 2 celery ribs diced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger minced
- 28 ounce diced tomatoes canned
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons cumin ground
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Turmeric ground
- 2 teaspoons paprika sweet
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon preserved lemon minced
- 2 teaspoons harissa (for some added flavor and heat)
- harissa click link for recipe (highly recommended!, homemade
- 8 cups beef broth or lamb broth
- 3/4 cup chickpeas dried soaked overnight then rinsed and drained or one 15 oz can drained
- 3/4 cup French Le Puy lentils they hold their shape and texture better than regular brown lentils, dried
- 1/4 cup long grain rice (another traditional alternative is broken up vermicelli pasta)
- 1/3 cup green olives drained and sliced, sliced
- 1/3 cup black olive drained and sliced, sliced
- 1/3 cup cilantro chopped, fresh
- 1/3 cup parsley chopped, fresh
- lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a pot over medium high heat and brown the beef. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside. (Leave the browned bits in the pot, those are going to give our harira tremendous flavor.)
- Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent and they turn golden, 6-8 minutes. Add the celery, garlic and ginger and cook for another two minutes. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, spices preserved lemon and harissa (if using) and let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes.Return the beef to the pot with the chickpeas and lentils. Add the broth, bring to a boil, cover and simmer over low heat for one hour. Add the rice, cover and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes.Stir in the olives, cilantro and parsley and simmer for another 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste and more harissa if you prefer it spicier.
- Garnish with some chopped fresh cilantro and celery leaves. If you like, serve the harira with lemon wedges to squirt in some lemon juice. Harira is traditionally served with a side serving of dried dates.
Notes
- Flavors develop further when the soup is refrigerated overnight; reheat and add broth if it thickens too much from lentils and rice absorption.
- For make-ahead, simmer soup for one hour, then add rice and cook remaining 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 449 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 449kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 47g | 16% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 53mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 1304mg | 54% |
| Potassium | 1793mg | 38% |
| Fiber | 15g | 60% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 1320IU | 26% |
| Vitamin C | 23.8mg | 26% |
| Calcium | 130mg | 13% |
| Iron | 7.7mg | 43% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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