Soups
Red lentil soup
This soup comes from Turkey, where mercimek çorbası is served in nearly every café. Red lentils need no soaking and collapse in 20 minutes into a soft, thick purée. Cumin and turmeric give a warm, gentle spice, and a squeeze of lemon at the end brightens everything. It is satisfying without meat or cream, costs very little and is a reliable weeknight standby for vegan and vegetarian cooks alike. Everything happens in one pot.
Method
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Rinse the lentils in a sieve under cold water 3 or 4 times until the water runs almost clear.
Finely chop the onion and carrot and mince the garlic.
Heat the olive oil in a pot and cook the onion and carrot for 5 to 6 minutes until soft. Add the garlic, 1 teaspoon of cumin and half a teaspoon of turmeric and stir for 30 seconds.
Add the tomato purée and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Add the lentils and 1.5 litres of hot water and season with salt. Bring to the boil, skim the foam and simmer, lid ajar, for 20 minutes until the lentils have completely broken down.
Blend until smooth, or leave it rustic if you like some texture. Add pepper, check the salt and thin with hot water if needed.
Squeeze in the juice of half a lemon and stir. Serve with chopped coriander and lemon wedges.
Tips for success
- Always rinse the lentils; unrinsed lentils foam heavily and can taste dusty.
- The soup thickens as it cools, so add water when reheating.
- Add lemon juice only at the end, not during cooking.
- For a finishing touch, warm 1 tablespoon of oil with a pinch of paprika and drizzle over each bowl.
Serving and storage
Serve hot with lemon wedges and coriander or parsley. In Turkey it comes with warm flatbread and a drizzle of paprika oil.
Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days and freezes well for up to 3 months. Loosen with water when reheating.
Variations
- Coconut: add 200 ml coconut milk at the end and 1 teaspoon curry powder with the spices.
- Add 2 tablespoons of bulgur with the lentils for an even heartier soup.
- Add a diced potato and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika for a smoky version.
Calories and macros
Per serving (about 368 g):
Per 100 g: 65 kcal, P 3.5, F 1.9, C 9.3. An estimate based on average ingredient values. Your daily calories ›
