Chorba Frik

• Prep time: 20 minutes

• Cook time: 45 minutes

• Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes

• Servings: 6 servings

• Country of Origin: Algeria

• Description: Traditional Algerian soup made with crushed green wheat (frik), lamb or beef, tomatoes, mint, and fresh cilantro, highly popular during Ramadan.

• Presentation & How It's Eaten: Ladled steaming hot into clay soup bowls, sprinkled with dried crushed mint leaves, and eaten alongside crisp fresh lemon wedges and Bourak pastries.

• Ingredients:

  • 400g lamb or beef, cut into tiny cubes

  • 3/4 cup frik (cracked green wheat), rinsed

  • 1 large onion, finely chopped

  • 2 ripe tomatoes, pureed

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas

  • 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

  • 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 5 cups water

• Step-by-Step Directions:

  • Sauté Ingredients: Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot; cook cubed lamb, chopped onion, and half of cilantro for 8 minutes.

  • Add Tomato Base: Stir in pureed tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, cinnamon, and salt; cook for 5 minutes until rich paste forms.

  • Simmer Soup: Add 5 cups water and chickpeas; bring to boil, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until meat is tender.

  • Cook Frik: Stir in rinsed frik, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent grain from sticking to bottom.

  • Garnish & Serve: Stir in remaining fresh cilantro and mint, adjust salt, and serve hot with lemon wedges.

• Optional:

  • Chili Pepper: Add 1 whole green chili pepper during last 10 minutes for gentle aromatic spice.

• Cooking Tips:

  • Rinse Frik: Wash cracked green wheat in cold water to remove chaff before stirring into soup.

• Nutrition Facts:

  • Calories: ~290 kcal

  • Total Fat: 10g

  • Saturated Fat: 3g

  • Cholesterol: 40mg

  • Sodium: 510mg

  • Total Carbohydrates: 32g

  • Dietary Fiber: 6g

  • Sugars: 5g

  • Protein: 18g