Moroccan Lentil Soup with Meatballs: Moroccan Series, #4
Moroccan Lentil Soup with Meatballs
Well, as optimistic as I try to be, I have to be honest and admit that winter is still here, and consequently, so is my need for rich, warm, comforting food! My kitchen has seen a whole parade of chilis, stews, braises and soups of late; many of them from a long list of favourite Moroccan recipes. I have been wondering why I have been so attracted to the Moroccan cuisine recently and I realize that Moroccan food is perfect for the winter. The rich flavours, the complex spicing, dishes that have been simmered for hours seem to transport us from this dreary cold to a place where the sun is stronger and more vibrant, warming us to our toes. Ah, escape from winter, in a single meal! So, today I am presenting one of my all time favourite soups. It is perfect for a chilly winter day and accompanied by a thick slab of crusty bread, it makes a substantial, satisfying meal. And because I know that many of Angie’s guests over at Fiesta Friday are still struggling through a long, hard winter, I thought I would bring this soup! I hope you all enjoy it and chin up, spring is only a few weeks away!! This recipe is adapted from Bonnie Stern’s “Simply HeartSmart Cooking”.
Oh, and for those of you who haven’t checked out Angie’s Fiesta Friday, you really should! The crowd has been getting bigger and rowdier with each passing week – soon they will be beating down the doors to join! Hope to see you there!
Ingredients:
Soup:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped, fresh ginger
1 teaspoon garam masala
¼ teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried red lentils, rinsed
1 – 28 ounce can diced plum tomatoes with juices
8 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1 – 19 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 zucchini, diced
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
¼ teaspoon pepper
Meatballs:
1 ½ pounds ground turkey or ground beef
½ medium white onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 egg, lightly beaten
¼ cup dried bread crumbs
Method:
Meatballs:
Preheat oven to 375°.
In a medium bowl, mix together the ingredients for the meatballs. Form into small balls, about 1 ½ inches in diameter.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the meatballs on the sheet.
Bake for 20 – 25 minutes until nicely browned.
Remove from oven and set aside.
Soup:
Heat oil in a Dutch oven and add the onions. Sauté unitl soft. Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for about 2 – 3 minutes until fragrant.
Add the garam masala, turmeric, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt and sauté until fragrant.
Add the lentils, tomatoes, and stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes until the lentils are soft.
Add chickpeas and simmer for an additional 20 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and using a hand blender, purée about one third of the soup.
Add the meatballs and the diced zucchini and simmer the soup for an additional 15 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the meatballs are cooked through.
Remove from heat and add the lemon juice and chopped cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with extra chopped cilantro.
Enjoy!
Moroccan Lentil Soup with Meatballs
Foodie On Board 
51 Responses to “Moroccan Lentil Soup with Meatballs: Moroccan Series, #4”
Can we say comfort and Yum all in one sentence…..LOL
Well, how about yumfort? Have we coined a new foodie word?
I think we have….lol
Ooh I feel warm just reading about this soup!
LOL! So glad I can supply some warmth!
[…] Julianna […]
I made a Moroccan butternut squash soup this week- the spices were amazing!! This looks DELICIOUS… I may be making this next week!! I can’t get enough soup in this cold weather 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
You’re so welcome! I do hope you try the recipe! I swear, I must get myself to Morocco one day, just to eat! Is there some sort of bloggers convention that we can hold down there? 🙂 It sounds like is a bunch of us who love Moroccan food!
I’m guessing this would be just as yummy sans the meat? Sounds good! 🙂
Yes, of course! The original recipe didn’t have meatballs, but it had some pasta instead and it was wonderful that way too! Give it a whirl!
Hi, Julianna! This looks so good, and you’re right, all those deep flavors from the spices make such comforting and delicious foods for the cold weather.
Hey there Ngan, I so glad you like the look of it and hopefully you’re keeping warm where you live! Have a lovely weekend!
The spicing in the soup sounds so delicious!
I’m so glad you think so. My husband and I really loved this soup and I will make it again for sure! Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! Have a wonderful weekend!
I love lentil soup–it sounds even better with meatballs!
Hi Nancy, yes I’ve done it with and without the meatballs and I like them both, but with the cold weather and all, both my husband and I are craving heavier meals! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
This sounds like a wonderful comfort food. Perfect for rainy days!
Thanks Patty! Not sure where you live, but we have been getting out fair share of rain here lately, so I guess my hubby and I will be polishing off this pot on the weekend! 🙂 Have a good one!
I’m in the middle of a severe drought in northern California! We’ve finally had some rain this past week. Phew! Not enough but better than going longer without any!
So glad to hear you finally have some rain!! I have been worried about you guys down there – saw the devastation to the crops on the news the other day and it is really worrisome! Hope you guys get some more!
Thanks, Julianna! We’re supposed to get a bit more next week! *fingers crossed*
This looks fabulous… pure comfort food. Wonderful post, delicious recipe! 🙂
Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed it. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Is this what they’re talking about when they say “it’s a million dollar shot?” That first photo right there can easily come out of a magazine! Makes me hungry for a bowl of meatball stew/soup. Sounds delish, Julianna! Absolutely! Yumfort written all over it. 🙂
Well thanks, Angie – I’ll take the compliment! I guess we’re always more critical of our own work – that shot wasn’t one of my favourites, but I went with it anyway. So glad it makes you hungry, but hey, look at all of the amazing food everybody brought tonight! What a virtual feast! You throw an awesome soirée!
This is absolutely my kind of recipe! I love it! Moroccan dished are very aromatic but also fresh and colourful 🙂
Thanks Catherine! Isn’t this what’s so wonderful about blogging? It’s so great to find other bloggers who appreciate the same kinds of recipes that we do. I hope to post some more Moroccan recipes, so keep your eyes out 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
Julianna this dish sounds great! I’ve been in Morocco so I know how delicious is the food there! I’ve already written down the ingredients, I’ll prepare it on monday, I can’t wait! I’ll let you know!
Oh, you are so lucky to have been to Morocco! I can’t wait to go there to eat the authentic food. I really hope you enjoy the recipe and please let me know what you think of this recipe when you do make it. Happy cooking!
Yes! I’ve been there 4 years ago while I was still leaving in Italy, so not so far! the food was delicious, breakfast included! I’ll let you know, I’ll do it on monday for dinner!
Well, I sure hope this means that you are going to share some wonderful recipes with us! I would love to know that they eat for breakfast there! No pressure, but I would love it if you have some recipes 🙂 Don’t forget – let me know what you think of the soup!
Julianna your soup is so colorful and full of spices, I like it very much 🙂
Oh, I’m so glad you like the look of this recipe! I’m also happy that you took the time to stop by and make a comment. Enjoy your weekend!
This sounds like bursting with flavors and a party in the mouth. Totally going to make it with vegetarian balls. Thanks Chef!
You’re so welcome! What is your recipe for vegetarian balls – I always love to try the vegetarian option.
You have used so many great spices! I bet this tastes wonderful!
Yes, I really love this combination of spices! They all work together to make one very tasty dish! Thanks so much for stopping by!
I am just beginning to learn how amazing spices can make a dish!
I am in love with my spice drawer! It’s so much fun to find a tasty new combination – it opens up a whole new worlds of flavours! Have fun!
This looks simply delicious! Wow! Love the combination of all spices! Wonderful! Must give this a try some day, I have not cooked anything Moroccan yet, it’s about time! 😉 thanks so much for sharing!
Yes, Moroccan spicing is amazing and you really should try it – I’m sure you would really enjoy it!
Wow! This dish looks absolutely amazing! I love winter spicy soups!!!
Thanks so much! Yes, I love super spicy soups too and will probably be adding some more to this blog as time goes on! Have a lovely week!
You too!!! 🙂
I love soups and this one is so interesting and flavorful with lentils and meatballs. A complete meal in itself! Will try it sometime!
I sure hope you do! Let me know what you think. When I first added the meatballs, I thought it might be a bit over the top with the lentils and all, but it does work. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Thanks very much, Chef Juliana, for following my food blog .. I’m honored ..
My pleasure! You have so many amazing recipes on your blog!
Hi Chef, happy you like them 🙂 I will continue for sure so see you next time 🙂 Have a great day/afternoon/evening
Ehy there… I have to apology for several reasons, first of all for the award you gave me without having back my reply and for do not let you now about your recipe made by me. But I was really busy during the last weeks. Btw, as I told you, I’ve tried to do your recipe… OMG! one of the best meal I’ve ever done in the last weeks… my husband loved it too! thanks a lot!
Well, this is such a lovely comment to receive! It is such an honour when a fellow blogger makes one of your recipes and likes it!! I’m so glad that both you and your husband enjoyed the soup! And no worries about the award! I really admire your blog and if you want to participate in the award, that is awesome! But it is always up to the nominees if they wish to participate 🙂 Thanks for letting me know!!