• PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES
• COOK TIME: 40 MINUTES
• TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR
• YIELD: 6-8 SERVINGS (or 10 cups)

DESCRIPTION

Harira is hearty, full of protein and loaded with nutrients.  This healthy one-pot meal is deeply flavorful due to warming the fragrant spices. You can easily adapt this to gluten-free and vegan if you desire. I found this recipe on feastingathome.com and it’s oh, so flavorful!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 stalks of celery, inner leaves are fine, chopped small
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 6 cups broth, vegetable or chicken or water
• 1 28 ounce canned, whole or crushed tomatoes
• 1 cinnamon stick (or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
• a tiny pinch of saffron (optional)
• 1-2 teaspoons sea salt (see note)
• 1/2 cup red lentils, dry
• 1/2 cup brown or green lentils, dry
• 1 1/2 cups (1 15- ounce can) chickpeas (garbanzo beans) cooked
• 2 teaspoons honey (if needed)
• 1/4 pound capellini pasta, broken into approximately 1-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, stems are great
• 1/2 cup parsley

Serve with lemon wedges, a swirl of yogurt (if desired) and dates on the side.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Saute onions for 5 minutes in olive oil, over medium heat.
2. Add celery, garlic, ginger, pepper, turmeric, cumin, smoked paprika and cayenne.  Stir for another minute.  Sautéing the spices allows them to bloom and deepen in flavor.
3. Add broth, tomatoes, cinnamon sticks, saffron, salt, red lentils, brown lentils, half of the cilantro and half of the parsley.  Bring to a simmer, cover with a vented lid, for 30 minutes.
4. Add Chickpeas and pasta cook 5-10 minutes more.  (see notes)
5. Add honey and remaining fresh herbs.

NOTES

If you plan to save the soup for eating later or freeze it, cook the pasta separately and add it in per serving.  Especially good for some of the gluten-free varieties of pasta that tend to break down more easily.

Salt will depend on the broth used and the amount in canned chickpeas- so salt to taste.

Variations: Throw in chard, kale, spinach or other greens. Use cooked rice instead of pasta. Use orzo pasta instead of broken capellini. Add seared lamb, beef, or chicken.

NUTRITION

• Serving Size: 1 1/4 cups
• Calories: 261
• Sugar: 6.2 g
• Sodium: 340.2 mg
• Fat: 5.6 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.9 g
• Carbohydrates: 41.9 g
• Fiber: 7.2 g
• Protein: 13.2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg