Harira (Moroccan Chickpea Soup)

Submitted by Syrinx

"A lovely, nourishing soup from Morocco. There are many variations; this very tasty (and interesting one) comes from David Scott's "Middle Eastern Vegetarian Cookery". Posted in the hope of joing the North African and Middle Eastern Zaar Tag game :-) Please note that the "pint" I mention is a British pint of 20 fl oz."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• First

• 8 ounces dried garbanzo beans, soaked overnight and drained (225g)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon saffron thread
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 5 pints water (3 litres)

• Then

• 4 ounces rice (100g)
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 6 fluid ounces water (175ml)
• 1 lemon, juice of
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

directions

1. Put the chickpeas, onion, olive oil, parsley, saffron and cinnamon into a large, heavy saucepan. Mix well, and heat for about 4 minutes, stirring constantly.
2. Add the 5 pints of water, stir, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about an hour, or until the chickpeas are cooked. Please note that chickpeas seem to vary wildly in their cooking times, so do keep an eye on it!
3. Add the rice, return to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the rice is cooked (10-15 minutes for the sort of rice I use).
4. When the rice is just cooked, beat the flour and 6 fl oz water into a smooth paste and stir it into the soup.
5. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for a further 15 minutes.
6. Remove the soup from the heat, add the lemon juice, then season to taste with salt and pepper. If the soup is too thick for your liking, you can add more boiling water to thin it down a bit.
7. Stir in the lightly beaten eggs, and allow to stand for a few minutes until the eggs are cooked. Serve hot.

Reviews

[Hajar Elizabeth]

Just a comment here. Harira and/or Morocco is not Middle Eastern and there is only one recipe for the national soup of Morocco with very minor variations; all being tomato based, never containing saffron, rice or eggs. This looks like a fabulous soup though David Scott is not correct in calling THIS a soup from Morocco. Enjoy! Hajar

 

[Annacia]

Reviewed for PAC fall 06. I can sum this up in one word: Delightful! It manages to be exotic and homey at the same time. The flavor is rich and and still basic. The cinnamon and lemon lift this soup far above the ordinary. It's really simple to make and it perfumes the house wonderfully while making. I followed the recipe exactly (I used brown rice but I don't count that as a real deviation, it's what I use 99% of the time) and wouldn't change a thing. The leftovers are mine, all mine, and I'm not sharing. This wonderful creation is hearty enough to be the meal in it's self I found 1 cup to be filling but still went back for more just because it's so good.