Ramadan Soup

Name: Ramadan Soup (Harira)
Prep time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h
Yield: Makes 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 bunch of fresh parsley, large stems removed, chopped; 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 bunch of cilantro, large stems removed, chopped; 1 pound boneless lamb shoulder or boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil; 1 pound boneless lamb shoulder or boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1 pound boneless lamb shoulder or boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil; ¼ cup vermicelli or other thin noodles broken into small pieces; 2 lemons; 2 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped, or about 2 cups drained canned; ¼ cup vermicelli or other thin noodles broken into small pieces; ½ cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight, or 1 cup canned or precooked chickpeas, drained; ½ cup dried lentils, picked over; Salt and black pepper; ½ cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight, or 1 cup canned or precooked chickpeas, drained; 1 teaspoon ground turmeric; Salt and black pepper

Harira

Preparation info

Makes
4 to 6
servings

Difficulty
Medium
Ready in
2 hr

Appears in

The Best Recipes in the World

By Mark Bittman

Published 2005

About

In the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and partake of a hearty meal after sunset. This often includes harira, a filling, flavorful, and easily varied soup. If your cilantro comes with roots, wash them well, tie them in a bundle, and add them to the stew for extra flavor; remove before serving.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
1 pound boneless lamb shoulder or boneless,

Stew
North Africa
Soup

Method

Put the butter in a large saucepan or flameproof casserole and turn the heat to medium-high. When it melts, add the lamb or chicken and brown evenly, about 2 minutes per side. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes, until it softens a bit. Stir in the parsley, cilantro, cinnamon, turmeric, a large pinch of salt, and about 1 teaspoon pepper.