Moroccan Harira Soup

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
• 1 cup (125 mL) yellow onion, small dice
• 1 cup (125 mL) celery, small dice
• 1 cup (125 mL) carrots, small dice
• 1 lb (500 g) beef stewing meat, diced (optional – omit for vegetarian)
• 1 cup (125 mL) whole red lentils, dry
• 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 qt (1 L) low-sodium beef broth (or sub veg broth)
• 1 qt (1 L) water
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• ½ tsp (2 mL) ground ginger
• 1 tsp (5 mL) ground turmeric
• 1 tsp (5 mL) cumin
• ½ tsp (2 mL) ground coriander
• ½ tsp (2 mL) paprika
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp (2 mL) salt
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) pepper
• ¼ cup (60 mL) fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup (60 mL) fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 Tbsp (15 mL) tomato paste
• Optional garnish:
• fresh cilantro, chopped
• lemon, thinly sliced
• sesame seeds