Harira (lamb and Bean Soup)

My Moroccaine neighbor made this soup for me last year and it has become my absolute favorite. I enjoy it so much I usually triple the recipe to have enough to freeze. It's a hearty, peppery, Mediteranean soup.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 lb  diced lamb or 1⁄2 lb  dice stewing beef
• 1⁄2 cup dry lentils
• 1 (15 1/2ounce) can garbanzo beans, with liquid
• 1⁄2 cup  packed chopped fresh cilantro
• 1⁄2 cup  packed chopped fresh parsley
• 1  cup tomato puree
• 1⁄2 cup tomato paste
• 10  cups water
• 3  tablespoons flour, mixed with
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1 -2  tablespoon salt, to taste
• 1  tablespoon black pepper
• 1⁄2 tablespoon ground ginger (NOT fresh ginger)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon saffron
• 4  tablespoons butter
• 4  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  large onion, chopped fine
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped celery (with leaves)
• 1⁄2 cinnamon stick

Directions

1. Add olive oil and butter to a large, heavy pot and brown the meat.
2. Add the onion and clery and saute until soft, add tomato paste, tomato puree, HALF of the chopped parsley and cilantro, all spices, water, lentils and garbanzo beans.
3. Simmer for about 40 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
4. Stir in the flour/water mixture to thicken.
5. Stir continually and add the remaining cilantro and parsley.
6. Cook an additional 10 minutes.
7. Remove cinnamon stick.
8. Adjust seasonings if necessary.
9. Serve hot.