Egyptian Red Lentil Soup

ratherbeswimmin''s Note:

A yummy soup that uses my favorite lentils. Adapted from a Moosewood recipe. This is a good and healthy take-to-work lunch.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 23 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 23 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 5 cups vegetable broth or 5 cups water
• 1 cup dried red lentils
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 2 cups chopped potatoes
• 8 garlic cloves , peeled and left whole
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄3; cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Add the first 5 ingredients to a large pot; cover and bring to a boil.
2. Lower the heat and simmer 15-20 minutes or until the lentils and veggies are tender.
3. Take pot from stove burner and set aside.
4. In a small saucepan, add the oil; warm over low heat until the oil is hot but not smoking.
5. Add in the cumin, turmeric, and salt; cook and stir constantly for for 2-3 minutes or until the cumin has released its fragrance (be careful not to scorch the spices).
6. Set spice mixture aside for 1 minute to cool.
7. Stir spice mixture into the lentil mixture; add cilantro, stir to combine.
8. You can puree the soup, in batches, in a blender OR you can use an immersion blender and blend to desired texture (I like to leave it a little chunky).
9. Add in lemon juice; stir to combine.
10. Rewarm soup in soup pot; season if needed with salt/pepper.

Reviews

[jdod13]

Great - don't skip toasting the spices - you could tell from the smell in my kitchen that this made all the difference.

[KIEJ]

This recipe is delicious and took much less prep time than noted - very easy to make. I followed other's recommendations and sauted the onions and garlic, and added some celery and carrots and sauted those too. I did go out and buy the tumeric - so many recipes call for it, it is worth having in your cupboard. Very flavorful and filling. I might add some chicken next time and call it a meal. Will definitely make it again.

[Chef metal]

This was excellent, I just got done with my second bowl and I'm full but I want to keep eating! I made a few changes, I sauteed the onion and garlic before adding the vegetable broth (i also chopped the garlic). I did what others said and added another teaspoon of Cumin. I added a little more potato which I mashed by hand inside the pot (no need to puree) The result was very thick soup just how I like it - adding a little more cilantro won't hurt either. This was my first experience with red lentils and I must say that I'm impressed - thanks for posting