Xarba Arbija (Libyan Soup) is a traditional Libyan recipe for a classic beef and vegetable soup with lentils and chickpeas. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Libyan version of: Libyan Soup (Xarba Arbija).
(click this button to prevent the screen from sleeping so Cook Mode is 'ON')
Ingredients:
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
150g beef, cut into 3cm dice
200g cooked chickpeas
150g red lentils
1 small potato, cubed
1/4 carrot, cut into thin slices
5 tbsp tomato purée
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp hararat (Libyan five-spice)
1 tsp hot chilli powder
1/2 tsp dried mint, crumbled
700ml meat stock
oil for frying
salt, to taste
lemon wedges, to serve
Method:
Add a little oil to a pan and use to fry the onions and garlic until softened (about 6 minutes). Now stir-in the beef, half the chilli and 1 tsp of the five-spice mixture. Continue frying until the meat is nicely browned then add the vegetables, tomato purée, sugar, salt and the remaining spices. Stir to combine then fry for 1 minute before adding the lentils and the meat stock.
Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce to a simmer then cover and cook for about 45 minutes before adding the chickpeas. Allow the mixture to cook for a further 15 minutes then remove the cover and stir-in the mint.
Divide between four soup bowls and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
)
Click on the image, above to submit to Pinterest.