Traditional Lamb Harira with Pulses

A velvety soup where tender lamb meets firm chickpeas. The scent of ginger and turmeric balances with tomato acidity and the final freshness of cilantro.

• Prep time: 25 min
• Cook time: 75 min
• Difficulty: Medium
• Calories: 431
• Protein: 25 g
• Carbs: 31 g
• Fat: 21 g

Ingredients

• 266.7 g Lamb shoulder ( cut into small cubes )
• 0.7 piece Onion ( finely chopped )
• 66.7 g Chickpea ( soaked overnight )
• 66.7 g Green lentil ( rinsed )
• 2.7 piece Round tomato ( blended without skin )
• 1.3 piece Apium graveolens ( sliced with leaves )
• 33.3 g Wheat flour ( for thickening )
• 0.7 tsp Ginger powder
• 0.7 tsp Turmeric powder
• 0.3 tsp Cinnamon powder
• 0.7 pinch Saffron
• 13.3 g Fresh cilantro ( chopped )
• 13.3 g Flat-leaf parsley ( chopped )
• 1.3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
• 1.3 L Mineral water
• 0.7 pinch Gray sea salt
• 0.7 pinch Black pepper ground
• 0.7 tbsp Tomato paste
• 0.7 tsp Smen (fermented butter)

Instructions

1. Browning the meat

   In a large pot, heat the olive oil. Brown the lamb cubes and chopped onion until the meat is golden on all sides. Dust with turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon.

2. Adding liquid and cooking legumes

   Add the blended tomatoes, tomato paste, celery, lentils, and chickpeas. Pour in the mineral water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer covered until the chickpeas are easily mashed with a fork.

3. Thickening (Tadouira)

   Mix the flour with a little cold water to obtain a smooth mixture. Pour in a thin stream into the boiling soup while stirring constantly. The sauce should coat the spoon and become glossy.

4. Finishing with herbs and smen

   Stir in the saffron, smen, chopped parsley, and cilantro at the last moment to preserve their color and aromatic power. Adjust seasoning.

Chef's tips

• Do not salt at the beginning, as it toughens the skin of the chickpeas.
• The thickening should be smooth: if the soup is too thick, thin it with a little boiling water.

Storage

Keeps for 3 days in the fridge. The soup thickens as it cools, add a little water when reheating.