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Moroccan Spiced Lamb Soup

Soup is one of my go-to's for a healthy and satisfying lunch in winter. I tend to make a big pot and portion some out to freeze for another day. This recipe is a nice one to do on the weekend when you are pottering around the house and the soup can simmer away on the stove for a couple of hours.
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Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup dried chickpeas soaked overnight, then drained and rinsed
  • olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 3 lamb shanks approx. 1-1.2kg
  • 1 brown onion quartered
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1 carrot cut into chunks
  • 2 celery stalks cut into chunks
  • 1 small sweet potato OR a chunk of pumpkin approx 250g, peeled and cut into chunks
  • a handful of parsley and coriander stalks you will use the leaves for garnish
  • 2 tbsp Herbies ras el hanout spice blend
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1.25 L water or stock
  • ⅓ cup couscous optional
  • a small bunch of parsley and coriander chopped
  • 1 wedge preserved lemon rinsed, discard pulp and chop the skin into small diced pieces
  • 250 g plain yoghurt

Instructions
 

  • Place the onion, garlic, carrot, celery, parsley and coriander stalks, and sweet potato or pumpkin in the bowl of a food processor and blitz until finely chopped. You may need to stop the processor a couple of times to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  • Season the lamb shanks with some salt and pepper.
  • Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large casserole or stockpot over medium-high heat. When hot, add the lamb shanks and cook until browned all over. Remove the shanks from the pot and set them aside while you cook the vegetables.
  • Add another tablespoon or two of oil to the pot and add the vegetables. Season well with a good pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes or so to soften the vegetables. Add the ras el hanout and cook for a minute or until fragrant. Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute. Now add the lamb shanks back to the pot along with the chickpeas and water or stock. Pop a lid on the pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 2 hours, or until the lamb is falling off the bone and the chickpeas are tender.
  • Remove the lamb shanks from the pot, pull the meat off the bones, then return the meat to the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning as required. Add the couscous and stir through, place the lid back on the pot and allow to stand for 5-10 minutes to soften the couscous. Stir through most of the chopped parsley and coriander, reserving some for garnish.
  • Combine the yoghurt and preserved lemon in a bowl.
  • To serve, ladle the soup into serving bowls, sprinkle with chopped herbs and dollop with the preserved lemon yoghurt. Serve with crusty bread or flatbreads.

Notes

If the soup is a little thick simply add some water or stock to achieve the desired consistency.