Moroccan Harira with Lamb, Lentils and Chickpeas

What you need

• 250 g (9 oz) lamb shoulder, cut into 1.5 cm cubes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, with leaves, finely chopped
• 30 g (1 cup) fresh cilantro, chopped, divided
• 15 g (1/2 cup) flat-leaf parsley, chopped, divided
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 can (28 oz) whole plum tomatoes, 800 g, blended smooth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 150 g (3/4 cup) brown lentils, rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, 400 g, drained
• 2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
• 40 g (1 1/2 oz) thin vermicelli, broken into short pieces
• 3 tbsp plain flour
• 6 lemon wedges, to serve
• 6 dates, to serve

Method

Restated from the original video

1. 1

   Warm the oil in a big, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the lamb, onion and celery and cook, stirring, until the meat has lost its raw colour and the onion is soft, 6-8 min.

2. 2

   Stir in the ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and pepper and cook for 1 min until fragrant.

3. 3

   Add half of the cilantro and parsley, the tomatoes and the tomato paste, and stir for 2-3 min.

4. 4

   Add the lentils and 2 l (8 cups) water and bring to a boil.

5. 5

   Partly cover and simmer gently until the lamb is tender and the lentils are soft, 45-50 min. Stir now and then.

6. 6

   Add the chickpeas and salt and simmer for 10 min.

7. 7

   Drop in the vermicelli and cook until soft, about 5 min.

8. 8

   Whisk the flour with 250 ml (1 cup) cold water until completely smooth.

9. 9

   Pour the flour mixture into the soup in a thin stream, stirring all the time.

10. 10

    Keep stirring over low heat until the soup thickens and turns silky, 5-8 min. Thin with a little hot water if it gets too thick.

11. 11

    Stir in the remaining herbs and taste for salt.

12. 12

    Ladle into bowls and serve hot with the lemon wedges and dates on the side.

Imported from panningtheglobe.com. Recipe Grab pulled out what you need to cook it; the video stays where its author put it.