Jari Frik (Tomato soup)

Jari frik is a common soup in eastern Algeria and a staple of Ramadhan meals.

The main ingredient is Frik or cracked green wheat. The wheat grains are first roasted and then cracked into smaller pieces. Difficult to find in the US, it can be replaced with bulghur.

Ingredients:

• Lamb, cubed for stews -- ½ lb
• Chicken (small pieces) -- ½ lb
• Onion, finely chopped --1 large
• Garlic cloves, finely chopped -- 3
• Celery stalk -- 1
• Chillies, mild -- 2
• Frik (or bulghul) -- ½ cup
• Chickpeas, cooked -- ½ cup
• Tomatoes, chopped -- ½ can
• Tomato paste -- 2 tbsp
• Olive oil -- 1 to 2 tbsp
• Cilantro, chopped -- 1 cup 
• Mint, dried  -- 2 tbsp
• Coriander powder -- ½ tbsp
• Cinnamon -- ½ tbsp
• Paprika --½ tbsp
• Black pepper
• Salt

Directions:

1.      Heat the oil then add the meat, onion, salt, pepper and the rest of the spices. Mix everything and cook on a low heat to sweat the onions and the vegetables

2.      When onions are soft add 1 to 1 ½ litre of water and the chillies and cook until meat is cooked.

3.      Add tomatoes, chickpeas and frik and leave to cook for 15 to 20 minutes.

4.      Check seasoning, then add mint and coriander leaves.