GREEK LENTIL SOUP (FAKI)

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Greek Lentil Soup (Faki) image

This was my mother's recipes for Faki, which has been one of my favorite soups since I was a child. The natural flavor of the lentils comes through nicely, providing a foundational flavor. The carrots and the celery, vegetables normally used to augment other things, shine in this soup; the sweetness of the carrots and the creaminess of the celery provide a strong middle flavor. The red wine vinegar at the end is absolutely essential. That last addition of an acid top note stretches the flavors and really makes this easy, simply, healthy soup a sure hit on a cold winter's night. Give it a try!

Provided by Itneedslemonjuice

Categories     Stew

Time 45m

Yield 1 big pot of soup

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup lentils
4 carrots
4 stalks celery
2 (32 ounce) boxes stock
2 tablespoons Greek oregano
salt and pepper
red wine vinegar
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
2 cups spinach leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups buglur wheat
cayenne pepper
red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Prepare the lentils: Lentils are harvested by machine so often they come with small rocks and irregular looking beans that you do not want in your soup. To check the lentils, pour them in small batches onto a plate so they are able to spread out. Give them a quick look over, remove any foreign objects, and dump them into a bowl. Repeat until you have checked all of your lentils. Then fill the bowl with cold water and rinse your lentils 2-3 time to remove any dust or bean skins. Throw the lentils into a big soup pot.
  • Dice your carrots and celery and throw them into the pot as well.
  • Add 2 boxes of stock to the pot and put the soup on a high heat until it boils and then reduce to medium. Cook for 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are done.
  • To finish the soup, turn the heat to low. Now add the oregano and salt and pepper to taste. The soup is finished with a liberal addition of red wine vinegar, which adds an important top note to the soup. We often add it to the soup and then have the vinegar on the table to allow folks to add additional vinegar to their liking.
  • Optional Ingredients: Over the years I have tried out other Faki recipes. Here are my favorite additions from those experiments. The bulgur bulks up the soup into more of a stew. Despite how successful the soup can be if you add some (or all) of thee additions, I still most often stick with the basic soup. To add the additions, the tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and/or bulgur wheat goes in at the same time as the stock. The additional spices go in during the seasoning phase.

Wisdom Ndifreke
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I'm not sure if I would make this soup again. There are other recipes that I like better.


nicky c
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I would give this soup a 3 out of 5 stars.


Tawana Tee
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Overall, I thought this soup was just okay. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything special either.


kamil ahmed
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The soup was a bit too thick for my taste. I would recommend adding more water or broth next time.


Vanessa Rad
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The soup was a bit too salty for me. I would recommend using less salt next time.


Jamshid Afghan
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I'm not sure about the addition of cinnamon. I think it's a bit too strong for my taste.


QUDRAT ULLAH Ch
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This soup is a great way to use up leftover vegetables.


Thereso Terrence
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I love that this soup is vegan. It's a great option for people with dietary restrictions.


ZEE Yt
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This soup is perfect for a crowd. I made it for a potluck and it was a huge hit.


Dawn Stewart
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I'm not a huge fan of lentils, but this soup changed my mind. It's so flavorful and delicious.


Paxton Caughey
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This soup is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables.


Dale Mcbride
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I love the simplicity of this recipe. It's easy to make and the ingredients are affordable.


Mehram Khaskheli
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This soup is so comforting and flavorful. It's perfect for a cold day.


FF RIDOY 4 Farind 2345
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I've made this soup several times now and it's always delicious. I love that it's a healthy and affordable meal.


Tim Parks
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This is my new favorite soup recipe! It's so easy to make and it's always a hit with my friends and family.


Sagor Khan
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I made this soup for my family last night and they loved it! Even my picky kids ate it up. It's a great way to get them to eat their vegetables.


Raheem Ullah
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This soup is amazing! It's so flavorful and comforting. I love the combination of lentils, vegetables, and spices. It's a perfect meal for a cold winter day.