Many will tell you that this is the best soup in the world, or maybe half the world. It is full of flavors from the African continent, including the jewel of the sea, saffron. Saffron, extremely expensive, but only a small pinch is needed for this robust flavor.
The best saffron comes from Iran. Many think that the Spanish saffron is the best, but this is greatly misleading. Many of the Indian dishes are made with saffron also. It is more of a ratatouille soup. It has so many ingredients, that you will feel as though you emptied your entire refrigerator.
You can use chicken, turkey or beef, but you must include the bones. The bones are the ones that give it the best flavor. There are thousands of recipes and none better than the simplest and the local one. This is a traditional starter soup, but many consider this their entire meal.
The Best Harira Recipe
In 2 liters of water, place the following ingredients.
- 2 chicken breast and 2 thighs with the skin and the bones
- 8 tiny onions peeled but left whole
- 2 stalks of celery chopped
- 2 cups of chicken stock
- 1 Tablespoon of paprika
- Pinch of saffron
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper
- 1 Tablespoon of butter
Instructions
- Bring this mixture to boil and then reduce the heat to simmer for two hours. After the soup is finished cooking, remove the chicken from the bones and skins. Toss the chopped chicken back into the pot.
- While the chicken mixture is cooking, in a separate pan place 3/4 cup of lentils and bring to boil and cook for 45 minutes or until well done. Do not add salt, as salt will cause the lentils to harden and take longer to cook. After the lentils are finished cooking, drain them and add the juice of 1 lemon.
- In the blender place 6 whole tomatoes, 1 cup of water and 1 Tablespoon of flour. Blend well and add to the chicken mixture.
- Using the blender again add in 1 bunch of parsley and 1/2 bunch of coriander, along with 1 cup of water. Blend well.
- Place this in the soup also. Add in 1/2 cup of vermicelli, lentils and one more additional tablespoon of butter. Cook on low heat for 15 minutes.
Many Muslims will sit down to break their fast and enjoy this soup. As the steam rolls over the top of the bowl and the children's eyes get huge, the entire family will finish every last bite of this very delicious soup.
Related Recipes
How to Make Musakhan is a traditional recipe with chicken and onions cooked in olive oil. The onions are spread on a huge pita style bread. It is a celebration meal.
Extremely tasty Moroccan pumpkin and lentil soup is a wonderful recipe using red lentils to thicken the soup with and the traditional spices to give it that extra special flavor.
How to make mansef is another traditional Arab meal with meat cooked in yogurt or jameel and served over rice.
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