Cookbook:Shorba bil Lahm (Libyan Meat Soup)
Appearance
Shorba bil Lahm (Libyan Meat Soup) | |
---|---|
Category | Soup recipes |
Time | 1 hour |
Difficulty |
Cookbook | Recipes | Ingredients | Equipment | Techniques | Cookbook Disambiguation Pages | Recipes
Shorba bil lahm is a comforting and hearty meat soup popular in Libyan cuisine. It is flavorful and broth-based, packed with tender pieces of meat, vegetables, and aromatic spices. It is often enjoyed as a satisfying meal on its own or as a starter to a larger feast.
Ingredients
[edit | edit source]- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 500 grams (1 lb) boneless lamb or beef, cut into small cubes
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (adjust according to spice preference)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 liter (4 cups) vegetable broth or beef broth
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Equipment
[edit | edit source]- Large pot
- Stovetop
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Vegetable peeler
- Soup ladle
- Serving bowls
Procedure
[edit | edit source]- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Add the diced lamb or beef cubes to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
- Stir in the ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute to toast the spices.
- Add the chopped carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes to the pot, and stir well to combine with the meat and spices.
- Pour in the vegetable broth or beef broth, and bring the soup to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for about 1 hour, or until the meat is tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or cilantro.
Notes, tips, and variations
[edit | edit source]- You can customize the vegetables in the soup according to your preference. Other commonly added vegetables include celery, bell peppers, and zucchini.
- Add a handful of cooked chickpeas or lentils to the soup for added protein and texture. For a spicier version, add a pinch of chili flakes or a finely chopped chili pepper.
- For a richer flavor, you can brown the meat in batches before adding the onions and garlic.
- This soup can be made in advance and reheated for serving. In fact, the flavors often deepen and improve after sitting for a day.
- If using tougher cuts of meat, you can cook the soup for a longer time to ensure the meat becomes tender.
- Serve the soup with warm crusty bread for dipping and sopping up the delicious broth.
- Garnish the soup with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a tangy twist.