Harissa is a spicy Tunisian paste using 3 types of chillis along with aromatics such as cumin, caraway, garlic & coriander to create a complex hot paste for use in a myriad of recipes with a North African flavour. Spice up this easy butterbean soup with as little or as much heat as you can handle!

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 stick celery, finely chopped
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tin organic cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tin butterbeans
500mL good quality vegetable or chicken stock
1 tbsp harissa paste - or to taste
1 segment preserved lemon, very finely chopped (optional)
A handful of fresh parsley or coriander leaf, to serve
Season to taste 

 

Method:

Heat the onion in a saucepan. When hot add chopped onion and fry on medium heat for 4-5 minutes before adding the celery. Continue to stir for a couple of minutes before adding beans, tomatoes & harissa. Add stock and preserved lemon (optional). Reduce heat and allow to simmer for around 20 minutes. Serve in soup bowls with a sprinkling of freh parsley or coriander, and season to taste.