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Hearty Moroccan Harira Lentil Soup

Moroccan Harira Lentil Soup - featured image
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A comforting and flavorful Moroccan Harira lentil soup with chickpeas and tomatoes, perfect for cozy winter nights. This easy recipe delivers warmth and satisfaction in under 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (about 200g) brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 1 cup (about 165g) canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 14 oz (400g) canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable broth or water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Rinse lentils and chickpeas under cold water. Finely chop onion and celery. Mince garlic cloves. Roughly chop parsley and cilantro.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and celery and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add minced garlic, ground cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, ground ginger, and black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and canned diced tomatoes with their juices. Mix well.
  5. Add rinsed lentils, chickpeas, and vegetable broth or water. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil.
  6. Reduce heat to low, partially cover, and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender but not mushy and soup thickens slightly. Add more broth or water if too thick.
  7. Stir in chopped parsley and cilantro. Season with salt to taste (start with about 1 teaspoon). Simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes to infuse fresh herb flavors.
  8. Ladle soup into bowls and serve with fresh lemon wedges. Squeeze lemon juice over soup before eating for brightness.

Notes

Toast spices gently in oil before adding liquids to release essential oils and deepen flavor. Stir every 5-7 minutes during simmering to prevent sticking. Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve brightness. Adjust acidity with lemon juice at serving. If soup tastes bitter, add a pinch of sugar to balance.

Nutrition

Keywords: Moroccan Harira, lentil soup, chickpeas, winter soup, easy soup recipe, vegetarian soup, vegan soup, gluten-free soup, healthy soup

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/hearty-moroccan-harira-lentil-soup-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-winter/