Chorba Frik
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Lamb, cut into small pieces — 300 g (10.5 oz)
- Onion, chopped — 1
- Tomatoes, chopped — 2
- Tomato paste — 2 tbsp
- Frik (cracked green wheat), rinsed — 1/2 cup (90 g / 3 oz)
- Ground ginger — 1 tsp
- Cinnamon — 1/2 tsp
- Chopped coriander and mint — 2 tbsp
- Oil — 3 tbsp
- Water — 6 cups (1.4 litres / 48 fl oz)
- Salt and pepper — to taste
- Lemon wedges, to serve
Method
- Heat the oil in a large pot and brown the lamb with the onion, ginger and cinnamon.
- Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and water, and bring to a boil.
- Simmer for 45 minutes until the meat is tender.
- Add the rinsed frik and continue simmering for 20–25 minutes until tender.
- Stir in the chopped herbs and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot with lemon wedges.
Introduction: A fragrant soup made with cracked green wheat, lamb and fresh herbs, a comforting alternative to harira found across Morocco.
Cultural Background: Chorba frik uses frik, a young green wheat that is roasted and cracked, giving the soup a distinctive nutty flavour and hearty texture, and it remains a popular choice alongside harira, particularly during colder months and Ramadan evenings.
Tips: Rinse the frik well before adding, as it can carry some residual chaff from processing. Simmer gently once the frik is added, stirring occasionally to prevent it settling and sticking to the bottom.
Variations: Add a handful of chickpeas for extra heartiness. Use chicken in place of lamb for a lighter soup.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed, until warmed through.
Nutrition: Per serving (approx.): 300 kcal, 18 g protein, 12 g fat, 30 g carbohydrate.
FAQs:
Q: What is frik?
A: Young green wheat that is harvested early, roasted and cracked, giving a
Q: Where can I buy frik?
A: Middle Eastern and North African grocers typically stock it, sometimes
- Lamb, cut into small pieces — 300 g (10.5 oz)
- Onion, chopped — 1
- Tomatoes, chopped — 2
- Tomato paste — 2 tbsp
- Frik (cracked green wheat), rinsed — 1/2 cup (90 g / 3 oz)
- Ground ginger — 1 tsp
- Cinnamon — 1/2 tsp
- Chopped coriander and mint — 2 tbsp
- Oil — 3 tbsp
- Water — 6 cups (1.4 litres / 48 fl oz)
- Salt and pepper — to taste
- Lemon wedges, to serve
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