Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of the Middle East with this tantalizing lentil and yogurt soup. This delectable dish, known as "shorbat عدس" in Arabic, is a harmonious blend of vibrant flavors and textures that will warm your soul and delight your palate. Picture a hearty and comforting bowl of goodness, where tender lentils simmer in a rich and flavorful broth, delicately infused with aromatic spices. The tangy caress of yogurt adds a refreshing contrast, while the crunch of toasted pita bread and the freshness of herbs bring a symphony of textures that will leave you craving more. This recipe is a symphony of flavors, paying homage to the culinary traditions of the region.
In this comprehensive guide, we present not only the classic lentil and yogurt soup recipe, but also a delightful array of variations that cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. Embark on a culinary adventure as we explore a hearty vegan version, a protein-packed chicken-infused iteration, and a tantalizingly spicy rendition that will set your taste buds ablaze. Each recipe is meticulously crafted to ensure that you can recreate these authentic Middle Eastern flavors in the comfort of your own kitchen. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on a culinary adventure that will transport you to the vibrant streets of the Middle East.
MIDDLE EASTERN LENTIL SOUP
A Middle Eastern lentil soup made in one pot to feed the souls of many.
Provided by Chef Tariq
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place pot over medium heat.
- Add olive oil.
- Add onion and garlic. Cook until just starting to brown.
- Add salt and cumin. Stir.
- Add lentils. Stir until mixed well.
- Add 4 cups of water and allow to cook down. About 10 minutes.
- Add remaining water, and lemon juice. Cook another 10 minutes or until lentils are soft.
- Turn off heat, using a hand blender, puree mixture until smooth.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 128 kcal, Carbohydrate 22 g, Protein 8 g, Sodium 424 mg, Fiber 10 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
LEBANESE MUJADARA
Mujadara is a Middle Eastern lentils and rice recipe made w caramelized onions. You only need three ingredients to make this simple vegan, protein-rich meal
Provided by Yumna Jawad
Categories Entree
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Rinse lentils, strain and place in a large pot with 5 cups of water. Bring mixture to a boil, simmer and cook covered until the lentils are tender but not fully cooked, about 15 minutes. Most of the liquid should be absorbed.
- Rinse the rice, then transfer to the pot of lentils and season with salt. Add 2 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook covered until the rice is tender, about 18 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat. Allow the rice to rest in the pot for about 5 minutes, without opening the lid, to absorb all the liquid and steam.
- In a separate large pan, heat two tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat and fry the chopped onions until golden brown, about 10-15 minutes. Transfer on top of the lentils and rice mixture, add cumin and toss to combine.
- In the same large pan used to cook the onions, heat the remaining olive oil on medium heat and fry the sliced onions until golden brown and caramelized, about 15 minutes. In the last couple minutes of frying the onions, you can turn up the heat to high to get a crispy texture.
- Serve the caramelized onions on top of mujadara with yogurt and mint, if desired,
Nutrition Facts : Calories 312 kcal, Carbohydrate 47 g, Protein 13 g, Fat 7 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 297 mg, Fiber 15 g, Sugar 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving
MIDDLE EASTERN LENTIL AND YOGURT SOUP
Steps:
- Sort and clean lentils as suggested on packaging. In a frying pan, heat olive oil and fry chopped onions and garlic. Once the onions and garlic have browned, turn off heat and add finely crushed mint to onions; mix then set aside. Add water, parsley and lentils to a large pot and begin to cook on medium heat. While lentils cook, take a large mixing bowl and add the yogurt and two eggs; mix well then set aside. Once lentils are tender, add egg noodles and cook until noodles are al dente (approximately 7 minutes), then turn off heat. Combining the yogurt mixture to the hot soup must be done with care to avoid curdling. Ladle hot soup into the bowl with the yogurt mixture and stir. Repeat several times until approximately half the pot of the soup has been mixed into the yogurt mixture. Then, slowly pour the yogurt/soup mixture into the pot and stir. Add onions and mint to the soup and stir well. Lastly, add salt, pepper and paprika to taste and reheat soup on very low heat while stirring frequently (do not let soup boil as yogurt will curdle). NOTE: When reheating leftover soup, do not reheat the entire pot; just reheat individual serving sizes and do not heat to boil.
MIDDLE EASTERN VEGETABLE AND LENTIL SOUP
A delicious, flavorful, and healthy variation of lentil and vegetable soup with Middle Eastern flavors.
Provided by Melissa Gardner
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Beans and Peas Lentil Soup Recipes
Time 1h10m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery. Cook until lightly browned, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute or 2, stirring constantly. Add broth, water, and lentils and bring to a boil, about 5 minutes.
- Add eggplant to the soup and return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes more. Stir in zucchini and tomato and return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until zucchini are tender but still bright, about 5 minutes more. Remove soup from heat and stir in lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 263.7 calories, Carbohydrate 42.1 g, Fat 5.9 g, Fiber 19 g, Protein 14.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 360.5 mg, Sugar 7.9 g
MIDDLE EASTERN LENTIL SOUP
Known in the Middle East as Chorbat el Ads, this is a 'cooks-itself', hearty, delicious soup.
Provided by bc
Time 50m
Yield Serves 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
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.
Tips:
- If you don't have any dried lentils on hand, you can use canned lentils instead. Just be sure to rinse them well before using.
- To make the soup ahead of time, simply cook the lentils and vegetables according to the recipe instructions, then let the soup cool completely. Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to serve, simply reheat the soup over medium heat until warmed through.
- If you want a thicker soup, you can add a cornstarch slurry (equal parts cornstarch and water) to the boiling soup. Stir constantly until the soup has thickened to your desired consistency.
- For a more flavorful soup, you can roast the vegetables before adding them to the soup. Simply toss the vegetables with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast them in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender.
- Garnish the soup with fresh herbs, such as cilantro, mint, or parsley, before serving.
Conclusion:
This Middle Eastern lentil and yogurt soup is a delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and easy meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover lentils. The soup can be served hot or cold, and it is also a great option for a packed lunch or picnic.
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