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Flavorful Moroccan Lentil Soup Recipe Easy Homemade Harissa Version

Moroccan lentil soup with harissa - featured image
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A comforting and flavorful Moroccan lentil soup featuring smoky harissa and warm spices, perfect for cozy dinners or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (200 g) dry green or brown lentils, rinsed well
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 4 cups (960 ml) vegetable broth, low sodium preferred
  • 2 cups (480 ml) water
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons harissa paste, homemade or store-bought
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • A handful fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of cinnamon or a bay leaf

Instructions

  1. Prep your veggies by finely chopping the onion, dicing the carrots, and mincing the garlic (10 minutes).
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions and carrots and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in tomato paste, cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to bloom the spices and caramelize the tomato paste.
  4. Add rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, and water. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot.
  5. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and partially cover. Simmer for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy. Stir occasionally and add more water if soup becomes too thick.
  6. Stir in harissa paste and fresh lemon juice. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Adjust heat by adding more harissa if desired.
  7. Optional: Use an immersion blender to puree half the soup for a creamier texture, then stir it back in.
  8. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley. Optionally drizzle with olive oil or add a dollop of plain or plant-based yogurt.

Notes

Do not overcook lentils to avoid mushy texture. Bloom spices with tomato paste for best flavor. Adjust harissa amount to control heat. Fresh lemon juice added at the end brightens the soup. Homemade harissa can be stored in the fridge for weeks. Leftovers taste better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: Moroccan lentil soup, harissa soup, easy lentil soup, vegan soup, gluten-free soup, spicy soup, comfort food

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/flavorful-moroccan-lentil-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-harissa-version/