Lambros' kitchen travellog

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5. Algeria – Chorba frik (tomato- herb soup)

This was a bit more complicated to make, I needed about 40-45 minutes, but it was totally worth the effort! Very rich flavors, and can be done with either beef or lamb or chicken or even vegetarian should work as well (I guess chickpeas or okras should work). In my version here, I used beef and I added a little too much bulgur which absorbed quite a lot of the broth thus becoming less “soup” and more “wet dish”! Nonetheless, it was very tasty! About the Ras el Hanout, as far as I know, there are about a gazillion different recipes, the one I used, I am including here

5. Algeria – Chorba Frik and Ras el HanoutDownload

Ingredients

  • 300 g lamb or beef in small cubes (or boneless chicken thighs)
  • 2 tbsp rapeseed oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato purée
  • 2 tomatoes, grated — or 200 ml crushed tomatoes
  • 1 carrot, small dice
  • 1 celery stalk, small dice (optional)
  • 1.2 L water or light stock
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ras el hanout (see DIY blend below)
  • Salt & black pepper
  • 3–4 tbsp frik (green cracked wheat) — or fine bulgur
  • 1 small bunch fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
  • Lemon wedges, to serve

Steps

  • Sauté base: Heat oil and cook onion 3–4 min. Add meat; brown lightly.
  • Spice & tomato: Add garlic, paprika, cumin and ras el hanout; stir 30 sec. Add tomato purée, tomatoes, carrot, celery and coriander stems; season.
  • Simmer: Pour in stock/water; simmer 25–30 min (chicken needs ~20).
  • Add grain: Stir in frik/bulgur; cook 8–10 min until tender and soup slightly thickened.
  • Finish: Stir through chopped coriander leaves. Serve with lemon wedges.

Ras el Hanout (simple home blend)

  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • Pinch chilli flakes or cayenne (to taste)

Mix well and store in a small jar for up to 6 months. For a floral note, add a tiny pinch of ground fennel or dried rose petals if you have them.