Lentil Soup

I love lentils and my living in the Middle East for years has opened the door to the lovely legume.  In Palestine it is known as the poor man’s food.  (Actually, interesting tidbit of information… it is the poor people that actually eat considerably more healthy than the people who have money in the Middle East.  The wealthy tend to eat more western/processed foods.  I prefer the “poor person diet” according to locals.  It is so much healthier and tastier , in my opinion.)  I have several recipes using lentils.  Unfortunately, not everyone like lentils.  That is ok… I think this soup will change your mind.

When you think of Lentil Soup, “HEARTY” does not usually come to mind.  I have listed a few add-ins underneath the ingredients that will heartify (my new word) this soup!

Ingredients:

1 c lentils (rinsed)
Olive oil
3 cloves of thinly sliced garlic
2 tsp Cumin (ground)
1/4 Turmeric (ground)
2 1/2 c Chicken stock (or vegetable)
Plain yogurt

(Additional add-ins that go GREAT with this and create a hearty soup: diced potatoes (small), chopped carrots (small), chopped spinach, big lug of heavy cream.  Be creative, I’m sure there is more you can add like onions (gag) but I would be remiss not to mention that particular undesirable.)

Directions:

After the lentils have been rinsed, cover lentils with water bring to a rapid boil for approximately 15 minutes.  While lentils are boiling sauté the sliced garlic, cumin and turmeric (and onions if desired) in olive oil for a few minutes. Drain the lentils.  Add chicken stock and 2 1/2 cups of water to lentils.  (At this point, if you want to add potatoes or carrots or any other hearty substance, do so now.  You may want to increase the water/stock ratio) bring to boil and then simmer for about 30 minutes or until tender.  Add salt to taste.  At this point you are finished… serve with a dollop of yogurt and eat!!

However you can do a few more thing for that extra added touch.  First, I like my soup a bit creamier styled, so I take my hand blender and grind everything up a bit.  Not totally smooth, but with a bit of chunk.  And, feel free to pour in a lug of heavy cream. These should be the last things you do before serving.

Again… once finished, serve with a dollop of yogurt on top.  Scrumptious!!

One more thing, this is GREAT served with fresh hot bread, too!!