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Vegetable chorba frik
Algerian tomato soup with cracked green wheat, chickpeas and mint for Ramadan
Chorba frik is the soup that breaks the fast in Algerian homes every evening of Ramadan, from Algiers to Constantine, and it is just as common in Libya as shorba. Frik is young green wheat, roasted and cracked, which gives the tomato broth a smoky, nutty depth. It usually cooks with lamb; here chickpeas, celery and courgette carry it. Serve with lemon wedges and bread. Chef's tip: add the frik only once the broth is boiling and stir for the first minute, or it sinks and sticks.
- Total time
- 65 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Warm 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over a medium heat. Cook 1 onion, 2 sticks celery and 1 carrot for 8 minutes, until soft and sweet.
8 minStep 2: Add 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp sweet paprika, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp black pepper and ½ tsp chilli flakes and fry for 2 minutes, then add 2 tomatoes and cook until thick.
6 minStep 3: Pour in 1.6 litres vegetable stock, add 14 oz cooked chickpeas and 1 tsp salt and bring to the boil.
6 minStep 4: Sprinkle in 3 ½ oz frik (cracked green wheat) while stirring, then simmer for 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until the grains are tender and the soup has thickened. Common mistake: too little liquid — frik swells a lot; add hot water if it becomes stew-like.
25 minStep 5: Add 1 courgette and half of 0.5 small bunch fresh coriander and cook for 5 minutes.
5 minStep 6: Rub 1 tsp dried mint between your palms over the pot and stir in the rest of 0.5 small bunch fresh coriander. Taste for salt and serve with 6 lemon wedges.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 260 kcal
- Protein
- 10 g
- Carbs
- 38 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 9 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does vegetable chorba frik take?
- About 65 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 50 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of celery?
- Fennel bulb, same weight.
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