Lebanese Style Red Lentil Soup Food

MIDDLE EASTERN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a pan and gently fry the chopped onions for 5 minutes.
• Add the chopped garlic, turmeric and cumin and continue cooking for a few minutes more.
• Stir in the lentils, add the stock and cook for 35 minutes. Stir several times during cooking, especially towards the end, to prevent lentils from sticking to base of pan.
• Toss in parsley, stir in lemon juice and leave to cook for 2-3 minutes more.
• No blending is necessary unless you want it really smooth.
• Serve with chunks of crusty bread.

LEBANESE LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Add the lentils to a large pot or Dutch oven and add the broth and water.
• Bring to a boil, cover and simmer until tender, 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, wash and separate the kale leaves from the stems. Cut the stems to small cubes and cut the leaves in large pieces.
• In a medium skillet melt the butter and add the garlic, cook for less than 1 minute, (don't burn) then add the cilantro, mix it until it softens and remove from heat immediately (the cilantro should stay almost raw green) set aside.
• Once the lentils are soft add all the vegetables celery, carrots, sweet potato, kale stems and ginger and cook until soft, 15 minutes.
• Once they become soft add the mix of cilantro and garlic along with the lemon on simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add the greens, cover the pot 10 minutes, then mix the soup and serve. Makes 16 cups.

LEBANESE-STYLE RED LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Bring chicken stock and lentils to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic and onion, and cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 3 minutes.
• Stir onions into the lentils and season with cumin and cayenne. Continue simmering until the lentils are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Carefully puree the soup in a standing blender, or with a stick blender until smooth. Stir in cilantro and lemon juice before serving.

LEBANESE RED LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Sautee onions in the olive oil or butter until soft and translucent.
• Add the stock, lentils, and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover partially.
• When lentils are broken down and rice is almost cooked (about 10 minutes), add the Arabic seven spice, cumin, salt, pepper, and Aleppo pepper, if using it.
• Simmer soup for another 15-20 minutes.
• Turn off heat and then add the lemon juice.
• NOTE: Add more stock or water to thin it out if it becomes too thick. At the correct consistency, you should be able to pour the soup into bowls.
• Serve with crusty bread and additional lemon wedges.

LEBANESE LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Place cilantro in a food processor with garlic, 3 Tbsps olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• Process until mixture forms a paste.
• Set aside.
• Sauté onions in 1/4 cup of olive oil until light brown.
• Add lentils and mix.
• Cook on medium heat for a few minutes.
• Add cinnamon and water.
• Turn heat to medium-high and cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Turn heat to medium, add remaining salt, spinach, potatoes and cilantro paste.
• and cook, uncovered, on low heat until lentils are creamy.
• Add lemon juice and continue cooking, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• (Total cooking time about 1 1/2 hours.) This soup can be served cold, warm or hot.