Ramadan Soup of Fava Beans and Lentils

== Ingredients ==
* 1 cup small, dried fava beans, soaked overnight and drained
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 onions, finely diced
* 2 pounds Lamb shoulder chops, cut into ½-inch cubes
* 8 Spanish saffron threads, toasted and crushed
* 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
* 2 teaspoons ground ginger
* 10 cups water
* 10 tomatoes (about 3 pounds), peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
* 30 fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, tied with cotton string
* 15 fresh cilantro sprigs, tied with cotton string
* 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed, picked free of impurities, and drained
* 1 teaspoon pepper
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ½ cup crushed vermicelli, orzo oracini di pepe
* salt to taste
* lemon wedges for serving
== Directions ==
# To toast saffron threads, place in a small nonstick skillet and stir constantly over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, then crush between your fingers or pound in a mortar with a pinch of salt.
# Skin the fava beans by squeezing each one between your thumb and forefinger.
# Set aside.
# In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, heat the oil and sauté the onions and meat until the onions are tender, 4 to 5 minutes.
# Add the saffron, turmeric, ginger and 8 cups of the water.
# Bring to a rolling boil.
# Cover, reduce heat to medium, and add the fava beans.
# Cover and cook until the beans are tender, 1 hour to 1½ hours (depending on the age of the beans).
# In a blender or food processor, coarsely chop the tomatoes, parsley and cilantro.
# Add the tomato mixture, lentils, pepper and cinnamon to the beans.
# Cover and cook until the lentils are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
# In the meantime, bring the remaining 2 cups of water to a boil.
# Cook the pasta until tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
# Drain and add to the soup. Stir to blend.
# Season with salt.
# Heat through and ladle the soup into individual bowls.
# Top with fresh cilantro and serve immediately with wedges of lemon.
Category:Arabian Soups
Category:Fava bean Recipes
Category:Lamb shoulder Recipes
Category:Lentil Recipes
Category:Orzo Recipes
Category:Recipes that need photos
Category:Saffron Recipes
Category:Tomato Recipes
Category:Vermicelli Recipes