Meat, Africa and overseas
Fah-fah lamb and vegetable soup with bread
Fah-fah is a lamb and vegetable soup from Djibouti, flavored with cumin, green chili, and fresh cilantro. This recipe serves 4, takes 1 hour 40 minutes, stays easy to make, and costs about €3.90 per serving. The key to getting it right is a slow simmer with very little stirring, which keeps the broth clear.
Tonight we're headed to Djibouti with a fah-fah, a lamb and vegetable soup with green chili and cilantro, plus bread to dip in it.
- Total time
- 1 h 40
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost per person
- €3.90
- Calories per person
- 670 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Winter, Fall
- The kids
- They generally like it
Fah-fah is really about the broth. Lamb simmers slowly with onion and garlic until it turns tender, then the vegetables go in as big chunks so they keep some bite. Green chili infuses the broth without taking over, and fresh cilantro adds brightness at the end. The result is a generous, fragrant soup that never feels heavy, meant to be eaten by the spoonful with bread for dipping.
This is the kind of dish that warms up a winter weekend, when you have time to let it simmer without much fuss. Kids can eat it without the chili, which you pull out before serving, while adults can drop it back in their bowl if they like the heat. It's a family soup that's easy to adjust to everyone's taste at the table.
The ingredients
Butcher
- Lamb shoulder 700 g
Fruits and vegetables
- Potatoes 500 g
- Carrots 3
- Zucchini 2
- Onion 2
- Garlic 3 cloves
- Green chili 1
- Fresh cilantro 6 sprigs
Pantry
- Ground cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
- Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
- Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch
Bakery
- Baguette 1
Allergens Gluten
The step by step recipe
-
Cut the lamb into large chunks and put it in a pot with one onion cut into quarters, the garlic, and 2 liters of water. Bring to a boil, skimming off any foam. 10 min
Skimming the foam right away gives you a clean broth without bitterness.
-
Add the cumin, salt, and pepper, cover, and let simmer over low heat. 1 h
The meat should be nearly falling apart.
-
Add the carrots and potatoes in large cubes, then the zucchini and the whole green chili. 20 min
Cut the vegetables into big pieces, they hold up better in the soup.
-
Remove the chili, add half the chopped cilantro, and taste.
Leave the chili in if you like it spicy.
-
Serve in bowls with the remaining cilantro and sliced bread.
Toast the bread lightly, it holds its shape longer in the broth.
Our tips to get it right
- Pick a lamb shoulder with a bit of fat on it, it holds up better during the long simmer and gives the broth more flavor than a leaner cut.
- Skim the broth well at the start of cooking, that one step keeps it from turning cloudy or bitter.
- Add the fresh cilantro in two batches, some near the end of cooking and the rest right before serving, so it keeps its bright flavor.
The variations
- Swap the lamb for stewing beef, the fah-fah turns milder but keeps its character.
- For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and double the potatoes and carrots, stretching the broth with a vegetable bouillon cube.
- For kids, pull out the whole chili before the vegetables even go in and serve with warm bread, they'll get a mild, familiar soup.
What to serve it with
- Toasted bread for dipping
- Hot black tea
- Fresh tomato salad
Storage
Fah-fah keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well for up to 2 months, just leave out the bread. Reheat it gently on the stove, adding a splash of water if the broth has thickened.
Questions about this dish
Can you make fah-fah ahead of time?
Yes, it's even better reheated the next day once the flavors have had time to meld. Make it the day before and warm it gently before serving.
What can replace the green chili if you can't find one?
A small mild pepper or a bit of extra black pepper will still give it some character. The key is to remove it before serving if you want a milder soup.
Does fah-fah freeze well?
Yes, it freezes easily for up to 2 months in an airtight container. Leave the bread out, it's best prepared fresh when you're ready to serve.
Which cut of lamb works best for this dish?
Shoulder is ideal since it stays tender through a long simmer. Leg or neck also work well if shoulder isn't available.
How long does it take to make a fah-fah with bread?
Count 1 h 40 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.
How many calories are in a fah-fah with bread?
About 670 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.
How much does a fah-fah with bread cost?
About €3.90 per serving, or €15.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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