A Deliciously Tasty Molokhia Soup Recipe
When the first sip of hot soup makes you smile and feel satisfied, you might just be eating molokhia soup! This middle eastern gem combines warm, earthy spices and chicken with nutritious vegetables to make it a complete meal. If you want to learn how to make your own authentic molokhia soup, stay right here and read on!
What Exactly Is Molokhia?
Molokhia is a vegetable common throughout the Middle East and Africa. It’s a staple in many kitchens throughout Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. Some compare it to the texture and flavor of okra, but it has its own unique flavor that’s beautifully balanced in the right recipes.
You might find this leafy green sold under the names Jew’s Mallow, Egyptian spinach, Nalta, or Jute Mallow. Whatever the name, it’s still the same delicious and nutritious ingredient you’ll need to make your molokhia soup recipe!
Why Should I Add Molokhia to My Soup and Diet?
There’s a lot of talk about the possible benefits of adopting the “Mediterranean diet” in the news and across the internet. In fact, Harvard’s School of Public Health has posted its review of the diet with detailed research results indicating that there may be benefits to eating foods like molokhia soup!
According to OrganicFacts.org, the benefits of eating molokhia can include the following:
- Helping to improve digestion
- Increasing circulation, thereby lowering blood pressure
- Improve sleep
- Boost the immune system
- Improve heart health
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve bone density
- Promote healthy overall growth
Before adding molokhia to your diet specifically for possible health benefits, it’s always a good idea to check in with your primary doctor beforehand.
Here’s a Tasty Molokhia Soup Recipe to Make in Your Own Kitchen
Nothing beats knowing that you’re putting together a nutritionally dense soup recipe. Here’s what you need and how to make your own molokhia soup recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb of chicken pieces (leg, thigh, breast)
- 1 medium yellow or white onion, quartered
- 4 green cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups of chicken broth or stock (may use vegetable)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves
- 2 ground coriander
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 14 oz package of frozen chopped molokhia
- 2 cups of cooked rice (Egyptian short grain is best, but other rice will do!)
- 2 tbsp clarified butter or ghee
- 1 tsp of lemon juice
Directions:
- Place the chicken, onions, cinnamon, cardamom pods, bay leaf, and chicken (or vegetable) stock in a pot that is just big enough to accommodate the chicken. You’ll want your chicken to be fully submerged in the pot, so it’s okay to add liquid if necessary.
- Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn the heat down until your soup is at a simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. If you see any scum float to the surface during boiling (you can peek!), you can skim it off.
- Make a paste with a mortar and pestle, if you have one, out of the olive oil, garlic, coriander, and salt. You may also use a food processor to make the paste as well. (If you cannot make the paste, mince the garlic and mix it with the olive oil and spices. It won’t be the same as making the paste, but it will still give you a lovely flavor!)
- In a frying pan or skillet, add the clarified butter and paste. Cook over medium-low heat until the garlic is just turning brown. Be careful not to burn it!
- Take the top off of the pot and remove the chicken. Set it aside until it’s cool enough to handle, then shred it into small pieces.
- Add the garlic and spice mixture to the stock pot.
- Add the frozen, chopped molokhia and lemon juice to the soup now. Stir until the molokhia is completely thawed.
- Spoon the soup over rice topped with shredded chicken, and enjoy!
Making an authentic soup that brings comfort, satisfying flavors, and good nutrition is a great way to show yourself and others that they deserve fantastic food. This molokhia soup is the perfect recipe that brings everything you want to a hearty, memorable meal.
Tips for When You’re in a Hurry
Making any meal from scratch isn’t always doable for those short on time. But if you want to make it seem like you spent a ton of time on your molokhia soup when you can’t, here are a few tips to help you:
- Cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces before adding it to the soup to cook. This will help eliminate the need to pull it out and shred it. You’ll simply keep the chicken in the soup, and eaters will get some in their bowls when you portion it out.
- If you want to skip cooking the chicken altogether, you can shred canned chicken onto the rice before serving. (Avoid using cooked rotisserie chicken, as the seasonings can impact the ones used in the recipe.)
- Keep a bottle of lemon juice in your refrigerator for recipes like this. It’s almost as good as fresh, saves time, and is much less expensive!
- If you have leftover pasta, use it instead of rice.
Take any ideas you have to help make this soup come together faster when you’re short on time. You’ll find that you look forward to making this soup even more when you can put it together more quickly!
A Note About the Chicken
While many recipes call for chicken to be used as the protein in this soup, some traditional recipes call for beef or lamb. If you’d prefer to try the recipe with these meat options, adjust your broth to beef or vegetable. Then just follow the recipe for the rest of the ingredients!
Storing Your Molokhia Soup
When you have any leftover soup you want to store for later, ensure you can eat it within a few days. It keeps in the fridge inside an airtight container for up to three days. It does not freeze well, so that method isn’t recommended.
Where to Find Molokhia Leaves to Buy
You may have difficulty finding fresh molokhia leaves in your local area. However, if you have an international or ethnic market nearby, you may be able to find them there or request that they get them for you.
The most common way people can buy these leaves is frozen. Again, they will typically be carried in an international or middle eastern market. You may be able to find them in Indian or Asian markets as well.
You can purchase dried leaves online if you can’t find molokhia locally. Of course, you’ll have to rehydrate them according to the package directions, but it will allow you to make the most authentic soup possible.
Have a Healthy, Delicious Meal Every Time You Make Molokhia Soup
Everyone knows they should have a healthy diet, and molokhia soup is one way to make it both easy and enjoyable. It’s loaded with ingredients known to be good for you, and it’s downright tasty. Make a batch for yourself or loved ones to show that you can combine great taste with food that’s good for all.
