Harira (Beef And Chickpea Soup) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb beef, cut in 1/2 inch cubes
1 cup carrot, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon crushed saffron or 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups beef broth
1/4 cup barley
1 (16 ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1 cup tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Preparation

Brown beef in butter in a large, heavy saucepan. Add carrots, celery, onion, cinnamon, saffron or tumeric and cook until tender.
Add broth and barley, cover and simmer over low heat 1 1/4 hours.
Add chickpeas, tomatoes,parsley, oregano and lemon juice; cook 15 minutes or longer, stirring occasionally.