Libya / Soup
Shorba bil Lahm (Libyan Meat Soup)
Shorba bil lahm is a comforting and hearty meat soup popular in Libyan cuisine. It is flavorful and broth-based, packed with tender pieces of meat, vegetables, and aromatic spices. It is often enjoyed as a satisfying meal on its own or as a starter to a larger feast.
Ingredients
- olive oil2 tbsp
- onion, finely chopped1
- garlic, minced3 clove
- lamb or beef, 1 lb; boneless; cut into small cubes500 g
- ground cumin1 tsp
- ground coriander1 tsp
- turmeric, ground1/2 tsp
- cayenne pepper, ground; adjust according to spice preference1/2 tsp
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- carrot, peeled and diced2
- potatoes, peeled and diced2
- tomato, chopped2
- vegetable stock or beef stock, 4 cups1 l
- parsley or coriander, fresh; chopped; for garnish
Quantities are auto-calculated from the original recipe as a guide. Items without numbers (e.g. “to taste”) are not changed.
Method 9 steps
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant.
Add the diced lamb or beef cubes to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
Stir in the ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute to toast the spices.
Add the chopped carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes to the pot, and stir well to combine with the meat and spices.
Pour in the vegetable broth or beef broth, and bring the soup to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for about 1 hour, or until the meat is tender and the flavors have melded together.
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or cilantro.
