Harira Recipe – Moroccan Tomato Soup with Chickpeas and Lentils

INGREDIENTS

• 8 oz. lamb, beef or chicken, diced
• 3 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
• several soup bones (optional)
• 2 lbs soft, ripe tomatoes - (about 6 large)
• 1 handful dry chickpeas, soaked and peeled
• 2 handfuls dry green or brown lentils
• 1 large onion, grated
• 1 stalk celery (with leaves), chopped
• 1 small bunch flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1 small bunch cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp smen (optional)
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp ginger
• 1.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 3 tbsp tomato paste - combined with 1 or 2 cups water
• 3 tbsp uncooked rice OR broken vermicelli
• 1 cup flour - combined with 2 cups water
• lemon wedges and cilantro (optional) - for garnish