Ingredients

  • Beet Soup
  • Olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
  • 6 beets, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 4 tablespoons (about 100 grams) tomato puree
  • 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 8 cups chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Marak Kubbeh Adom
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon ras al hanout
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
  • 4 cups coarse wheat semolina
  • 2 cups water

Method

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and saute the onions until translucent. Add the beets and cook for a few minutes. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the paprika and season with salt and pepper, then add the chicken stock (of course it's best to use homemade here, but just use the best quality you can. I have to admit, I used "chicken soup mix" because that's what we have here, and it turned out great.). Allow to simmer over medium-low heat, uncovered, for at least an hour.
  • Just before adding the kubbeh, stir in the sugar and lemon juice. Using an immersion blender, pulse to partially blend the soup (or carefully transfer about 1/3 to a blender). This step is optional and will depend on what texture you like your soup.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ras al hanout and toast, stirring, 1 minute. Add the onions and garlic and saute until translucent. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring and breaking up with a spoon, until meat is cooked through. Remove from the heat and season with black pepper. If there is a lot of grease and fat in the pan then drain. Allow to cool, stir in cilantro, and set aside.
  • Put the semolina and water in a large bowl and allow to sit for a few minutes until the water is fully absorbed. It should be soft, but not liquidy or sticky. Try to avoid adding additional water or semolina as it could become very sticky; if this happens discard and start over. Just trust me.