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Algerian Vermicelli Soup - Chorba Vermicelle

Course Soup
Cuisine Algerian
Keyword Soup, chorba
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 6
Author LDS’s Mom

Ingredients

  • 1 lb beef in bone
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large (or 3 Roma tomatoes), grated
  • 1 cup chickpeas, soaked overnight and rinsed
  • 1 medium zucchini
  • 1 large carrots
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp Ras al hanout
  • 1/4 tsp coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • 2 tbsp chopped mint
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3/4 cup vermicelli

Instructions

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, put olive oil.

  2. Add onion, garlic, beef, cinnamon stick, 1 tablespoon mint and 2 tablespoons of cilantro.

  3. Season with salt, pepper, ginger, Ras al hanout and coriander.

  4. Add paprika and tomato paste then let cook for 5 minutes.

  5. Add the grated tomato, chickpeas, zucchini, carrot, celery and let cook for about 10 minutes.

  6. Pour boiled water over the meat and vegetables until it covers them.

  7. Let cook covered for about 45 minutes or until the meat and chickpeas are cooked.

  8. After about 1/2 hour of cooking, take out the zucchini and put it aside.

  9. Once the carrots and celery are cooked, take them out and discard the celery.

  10. Place the cooked zucchini and carrot in a food processor and purée them.

  11. Pour the vegetable purée in the soup.

  12. Mix everything and adjust the seasoning. Add salt if needed.

  13. Once the meat and chickpeas are cooked, add the vermicelli.

  14. Mix it then let it cook for about 2 minutes.

  15. Add the remaining chopped cilantro and mint then turn off the heat.

  16. Serve with any type of bread.

Recipe Notes

  • You can add chili pepper, jalapeño pepper, or any other hot peppers to add some heat to the soup.
  • You can add green peas instead of chickpeas.
  • You can add a small potato to the soup if you like.
  • You can add minced garlic( 1 or 2 cloves) at the end of cooking.