Mixed Vegetable Puréed Soup- Shawraba

A wide range of soups made from lamb or chicken to lentils or vegetables form part of Oman’s daily cuisine. Because Oman is more fertile than the other Arab Gulf countries, its traditional cuisine includes more vegetables as exemplified in this soup. It is especially when breaking the fast during Ramadan that a variety of soups, such as Shawraba, grace the tables of homes and restaurants alike.

SERVES: 6 to 8

PREP TIME: 25 minutes

COOKING TIME: 1 hour 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick/60 g) butter
• 1 large onion, minced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 green or red bell pepper, deseeded and chopped
• 1 cup (100 g) chopped cabbage
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 4 cups (1 liter) meat or vegetable stock
• 4 tablespoons oatmeal, mixed with 2 cups (500 ml) water
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large saucepan with a lid, melt the butter over medium heat, uncovered.
2. Add the minced onion and sauté for 10 minutes until it becomes translucent and fragrant.
3. Add the chopped potatoes, chopped carrot, chopped bell pepper, chopped cabbage, chopped tomatoes, and meat or vegetable stock to the saucepan. Bring it to a boil.
4. Cover the saucepan and let it simmer over medium-low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool.
6. Transfer the contents of the saucepan to a blender and puree until smooth.
7. Return the pureed vegetables to the saucepan and stir in the oatmeal mixture, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, cumin, coriander, cardamom, and ground red pepper.
8. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover the saucepan, and simmer over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
9. Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice.
10. Serve the hot soup and enjoy its rich and comforting flavors.