Persian Noodle Soup With Meatballs (Ashe Reshte)

Olha's Note:

Lentils, black eyed peas and fine noodles make up this soup. Meatballs are dropped into simmering soup and garnished with mint, pepper and cinnamon. Ashe is the Persian word for soup and a cook is an Ash-Paz or “maker of the soup.” Soups are as important today in the cuisine of modern Iran as they were in ancient Persia.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

SOUP

• ¼ cup lentils
• ¼ cup dried black-eyed peas
• 4 -5 cups water
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 cup fine egg noodles
• ½ cup chopped parsley

MEATBALLS

• ½ lb ground beef
• 1⁄3; cup finely chopped onions or 1⁄3; cup grated onion
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon fine grind black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt

SPICE GARNISH

• 2 teaspoons dried mint
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Wash lentils and black eyed peas; combine in a large kettle with water and salt. Simmer until almost tender, about 30 to 40 minutes. Add noodles and parsley.
2. Make meatballs by mixing beef, onion, cinnamon, pepper, and salt. Blend well. Shape into 1-inch meatballs. Drop into simmering soup and cook for about 30 more minutes, or until meatballs are done and noodles tender. Crush the dried mint and combine with pepper and cinnamon. Ladle soup into soup plates or large bowls and sprinkle with the mixed spices. Makes 6 servings.
3. Soups and Stews The World Over.

Reviews

[Chef #594577]

This was nice...much more like a stew than the soup as other reviewers said. And I have no idea how this is supposed to make even 4 or 6 servings...I felt it barely made 3 good sized servings. But the flavor is very nice...if you want more of a soup, then triple the water and double the lentils/black-eyed peas. It's a great combination of flavors and a good first course, though...

[forthefunofit]

This was a lovely lentil dish. More stew than soup, but I liked the flavour very much. I will be making this again. Thank you!