The Shorba Freekeh of Algeria

This is a traditional soup recipe from my Algerian side of the family. Shorba is like a generic word for soup; this recipe uses the roasted wheat called freekeh which gives this tomato and meat based soup a deep and original flavor. Like many traditional Mediterranean-style foods it is garnished with plenty of cilantro and fresh lemon juice.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 3 hr
• Total Time: 3 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 375 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 ½ quarts water
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 cubes vegetable bouillon, or more to taste
• ¾ pound ground beef
• 2 onions, cut into chunks
• 2 cups green peas
• 1 bunch cilantro, coarsely chopped
• 2 large tomatoes, cut into chunks
• 1 serrano pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 Anaheim pepper, cut into chunks
• ½ zucchini, cut into chunks
• 1 pound lamb stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• ½ cup finely ground freekeh
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges, or more to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Blend tomatoes, onions, serrano pepper, anaheim pepper, zucchini, and garlic together in a blender until vegetables are completely pureed.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook lamb and beef with a pinch of salt, stirring occasionally, until lamb is cooked through and browned on all sides, about 25 minutes.

Step 3

Stir vegetable puree, vegetable bouillon, cumin, black pepper, paprika, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne pepper into lamb mixture. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, until flavors begin to blend, about 35 minutes.

Step 4

Pour water and tomato paste into lamb mixture. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until lamb starts to tenderize, about 1 1/2 hours. Add freekeh; simmer until freekeh is incorporated into the soup, about 30 minutes.

Step 5

Stir peas and butter into soup. Remove pot from heat and stir cilantro into soup. Ladle soup into bowls and squeeze lemon juice into bowls.