The Secret Ingredients of Traditional Moroccan Harira Soup

Discover the Essence of Harira

Harira, a traditional Moroccan soup, is a delightful blend of flavors and textures that captures the essence of Moroccan cuisine. It is not just a soup; it’s a symbol of hospitality and cultural heritage. Often served during Ramadan, this nourishing dish provides warmth and sustenance to families breaking their fast. Let’s uncover the secret ingredients that make Harira a beloved staple.

Key Ingredients for Authentic Taste

The base of Harira consists of tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, and a variety of aromatic spices. The secret to its rich flavor lies in the unique combinations of spices like cinnamon, cumin, and coriander, which elevate the dish. Fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley provide a vibrant finish, while the addition of lemon juice offers a refreshing tang. Each ingredient contributes to the depth of flavor, making Harira a heartwarming and satisfying meal.

We need :

  • 200 g chicken wings and gizzards
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 50 g lentils
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 bunch of chopped coriander
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ghee
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 3 litres water
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 50 g rice

For serving:

  • 1 tablespoon chopped coriander and celery
  • Lemon wedges
  • For the topping (mixture thickener):
  • 100 g flour
  • 1 tablespoon tomato concentrate
  • 20 cl water

Step-by-Step Preparation

To prepare this delicious soup, start by sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Next, add chopped tomatoes, lentils, and chickpeas, allowing them to blend with the spices. Gradually pour in vegetable or chicken broth, then let everything simmer until the lentils are tender. Just before serving, incorporate freshly chopped herbs and a splash of lemon juice for brightness. Serve hot with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.

Method :

1 In a blender, mix the flour with water and tomato concentrate to obtain a light, runny dough.

2 Harira (soup): In a pot over low heat, place the chicken wings and gizzards, carrots, onions, tomatoes, aromatic herbs, ginger, turmeric, ghee and water.

3 When boiling, cover the pot and leave everything to cook for 25 minutes.

4 Add the rice and tomato concentrate and leave the pot over low heat for 10 minutes.

5 Add the appropriate amount of Dowra (thickener) while stirring to obtain a smooth and soft Harira. Leave the Harira over low heat while stirring continuously until the foam formed on the surface disappears.


6 5 minutes before removing the Harira from the heat, season with black pepper, coriander and celery.

7 Add the Dowra gradually to obtain a smooth, smooth and light soup.
If the Harira thickens too much, you can add boiling water to dilute it.

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