Hearty Moroccan Harira Soup

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 50g fresh cilantro, stems removed, roughly chopped
• 50g fresh parsley, stems removed, roughly chopped
• 100g celery stalk, cut into 3cm pieces
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp saffron threads
• 100g green lentils, rinsed
• 200g canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 400g crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 100g beef or lamb, cut into 1cm cubes (optional, omit for vegetarian)
• 1.5 liters hot vegetable or chicken broth
• 50g all-purpose flour
• 100ml cold water
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Salt to taste
• Fresh mint or extra cilantro for garnish (optional)