Chorba Frik Algérienne
A traditional and hearty Algerian soup made with cracked green wheat (frik), tender lamb or chicken, aromatic vegetables, and a blend of warming spices. It's a staple during Ramadan and special occasions.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Lamb or chicken(cut into small pieces)
- 150 g Frik (cracked green wheat)(rinsed)
- 2 medium Onions(finely chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned crushed or fresh, pureed)
- 2 stalks Celery stalks(chopped)
- 2 medium Carrots(chopped)
- 100 g Chickpeas(cooked or canned, drained and rinsed)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Coriander(fresh, chopped)
- 1 tbsp Parsley(fresh, chopped)
- 0.5 tsp Cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric
- 0.5 tsp Ginger(ground)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(or to taste)
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 liters Water or broth
- 4 wedges Lemon wedges(for serving)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the meat pieces and brown them on all sides. Remove meat and set aside.
- 2
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add celery and carrots, cooking for another 5 minutes.
- 3
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- 4
Return the browned meat to the pot. Add the rinsed frik, cooked chickpeas, chopped coriander, and parsley. Pour in the water or broth.
- 5
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the meat is tender and the frik is fully cooked. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 6
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. If the soup is too thick, add a little more water or broth.
- 7
Serve hot, garnished with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lemon juice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Frik can be found in Middle Eastern or specialty food stores.
- ✓For a richer flavor, use lamb broth instead of water.
- ✓If you don't have frik, you can substitute with bulgur wheat, but the texture will be different.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Include other vegetables like zucchini or green beans.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth.