Lebanese Spinach and Lentil Soup
This has fantastic flavor--absolutely love this. Feel free to substitute fresh chard for the spinach or mint for the cilantro. Serve with tzatziki and bread and/or a tomato salad. I used fresh spinach and doubled the recipe. Recipe courtesy of Spilling the Beans.
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INGREDIENTS
Nutrition- 1
- 4
- 3cups water
- 4cups chicken stock or 4 cups vegetable stock
- 1
- 2teaspoons ground cumin
- 1⁄2teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 10
- 3ounces vermicelli, broken (or other fine pasta)
- 1⁄2 - 1
- 1⁄4
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DIRECTIONS
- In a large saucepan set over low-moderate heat, saute the onion in a drizzle of oil with a pinch of salt until transparent and starting to brown, 4 to 7 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the water, stock, lentils, and spices, and bring to a simmer.
- Cook, covered, until the lentils are tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
- In the meantime, drain the spinach in a colander and squeeze by handfuls to remove as much liquid as possible.
- In a large skillet, saute the spinach in batches with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt until cooked and almost crisp.
- Transfer the cooked spinach to a plate and set aside.
- Once the lentils are tender, add the vermicilli pieces and cook until the pasta is nearly tender, about 4 to 6 minutes.
- Add the sauteed spinach and juice of half a lemon to the pot, stir well, and add salt and pepper.
- Add more lemon if you like, or pass around wedges at the table.
- Ladle into bowls and top with cilantro.
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