Chorba Algérienne Recipes

CHORBA HAMRA BEL FRIK (ALGERIAN LAMB, TOMATO, AND FREEKEH SOUP)

Steps:

• Place freekeh in a bowl and cover with cold water. Set aside.
• Combine lamb, onion, pepper, paprika, cinnamon, and salt in a pot. Add oil, 1/2 of the cilantro, 1/2 of the mint, and celery and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Stir in chickpeas and cover with a little water. Bring to a gentle simmer. Add tomato paste, zucchini, and carrot and mix well.
• Set a steamer over the pot and add tomatoes. Cover and steam tomatoes until soft, about 5 minutes. Crush tomatoes using a wooden spoon so pulp drips into the soup. Discard leftover tomato peels. Add potato and enough water to cover. Simmer until potato is soft, about 10 minutes.
• Drain freekeh and add to the soup. Simmer until soft, about 15 minutes. Remove celery stalk. Sprinkle soup with remaining cilantro and mint before serving.

ALGERIAN CHORBA (VEGETARIAN)

Steps:

• Sautee onions and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add cilantro and veggies and spices and stir it around, then add water and cover.
• Let cook over medium heat until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Take vegetables out when tender and mash or puree, then return to the pot.
• Add tomato paste, garbanzos, and bulgher wheat, cook another 10- 15 minutes. Add additional water if necessary (if soup looks too thick while cooking).