Best 3 Red Lentil Soup With African Spices Recipes

Indulge in a culinary journey to the vibrant flavors of Africa with this collection of red lentil soup recipes. From the aromatic blend of Ethiopian spices to the comforting warmth of Moroccan harira, these soups are a symphony of tastes and textures. Dive into the vibrant flavors of the African continent with our easy-to-follow recipes. From the mildly spiced Egyptian lentil soup to the rich and hearty Eritrean red lentil stew, each dish is a testament to the diverse culinary traditions of Africa.

Start your exploration with the classic Ethiopian red lentil soup, a delightful marriage of earthy lentils, fragrant berbere spice blend, and the tangy kiss of lemon. Transport yourself to Morocco with the comforting warmth of harira, a hearty soup brimming with tender lentils, plump chickpeas, and a medley of vegetables, all enveloped in a rich tomato broth infused with aromatic spices.

For a taste of Egyptian culinary heritage, try the delicately spiced lentil soup, where lentils and vegetables harmoniously blend in a light yet flavorful broth. Embark on a culinary adventure to Eritrea with the robust red lentil stew, a hearty and deeply satisfying dish where lentils, tomatoes, and spices create a symphony of flavors.

Each recipe is a culinary masterpiece, offering a unique taste of Africa's rich and diverse culinary heritage. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or just starting your exploration of African cuisine, these red lentil soup recipes will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

MOROCCAN SPICED RED LENTIL SOUP

Moroccan Spiced Red Lentil Soup image

Provided by Food Network

Categories main-dish

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium yellow onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced or pureed
4 stalks of celery, washed and sliced crosswise 1/2-inch thick
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 generous pinch saffron
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 large or 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
1 pound red lentils
2 quarts water
1 cup cooked wheat berries
6 Italian Roma tomatoes, cored and diced
1/2 bunch cilantro, washed, leaves sliced thin crosswise
1 loaf long skinny bread, sliced on the diagonal 3/4-inch thick
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil or softened butter

Steps:

Heat olive oil in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, 10 minutes until softened and beginning to color. Add garlic and cook one minute to release its aroma. Add celery and cook 2 minutes until softened. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, the pepper and the turmeric, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, saffron, and bay leaf and cook 2 to 3 minutes to develop the flavor of the spices. Add tomato paste, potatoes, lentils and water and cook 45 minutes; the lentils and potatoes should be quite tender. Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon salt, wheat berries and tomatoes and heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve garnished with cilantro.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly brush oil or butter on both sides of bread slices. Arrange bread in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool croutons on a wire rack.

RED LENTIL SOUP WITH NORTH AFRICAN SPICES RECIPE - (3.4/5)

Red Lentil Soup with North African Spices Recipe - (3.4/5) image

Provided by DreiFromBK

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

4 4tablespoons 4tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1 1 large onion, chopped fine
Salt and pepper
3/4 3/4teaspoon 3/4teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 1/2teaspoon 1/2teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 1/4teaspoon 1/4teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 1/8teaspoon 1/8teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch Pinch cayenne
1 1tablespoon 1tablespoon tomato paste
1 1 1 garlic clove, minced
4 4cups 4cups chicken broth
2 2cups 2cups water
10 1/2 10 1/2ounces 1/2 (1 1/2 cups) red lentils, picked over and rinsed
2 2tablespoons 2tablespoons lemon juice, plus extra for seasoning
1 1/2 1 1/2teaspoons 1/2teaspoons dried mint, crumbled
1 1teaspoon 1teaspoon paprika
1/4 1/4cup 1/4cup chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

Pair this soup with a salad and bread for lunch or a light supper. 1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add coriander, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in broth, water, and lentils and bring to simmer. Simmer vigorously, stirring occasionally, until lentils are soft and about half are broken down, about 15 minutes. 2. Whisk soup vigorously until it is coarsely pureed, about 30 seconds. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and extra lemon juice to taste. Cover and keep warm. (Soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Thin soup with water, if desired, when reheating.) 3. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in small skillet. Remove from heat and stir in mint and paprika. Ladle soup into individual bowls, drizzle each portion with 1 teaspoon spiced butter, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve.

COMFORT RED LENTIL SOUP WITH WARM SPICES

Comfort Red Lentil Soup with Warm Spices image

A flavorful, soul - warming soup with warm spices that you can prepare in just half an hour.

Provided by Marilena Leavitt

Categories Soup

Time 30m

Yield serves 5-6

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

8 oz. red lentils, rinsed thoroughly
2 TBSP. extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
½ tsp. sea salt
½ tsp. freshly ground pepper
½ tsp. ground cumin
½ tsp. freshly ground coriander
½ tsp. turmeric
½ tsp. ground ginger
2 TBSP. tomato paste
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups water (warm)
2 TBSP. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. lemon zest
2 TBSP. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. paprika
2-3 TBSP. fresh cilantro, minced

Steps:

Pick over the lentils, place them in a colander and rinse several times, until the water runs clear.
Place a medium pot over medium heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and, once hot, add the onion and sauté for about four minutes until softened. Next, season with the salt and add the minced garlic. Cook for a minute more and then add the spices. Stirring frequently cook for two minutes more, or, until the onions and garlic are well caramelized and the spices become fragrant.
To the pot add the tomato paste and cook briefly until the paste caramelizes as well (the tomato paste will help thicken the soup). Stir in the broth (chicken or vegetable) and the water. Next, add the rinsed lentils. Bring the pot to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or, until the lentils are completely soft and broken down. (Red lentils cook faster than other varieties)
Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and zest. Taste and adjust the seasoning--add more salt or spices if necessary (I usually do).
When ready to serve, heat 2 TBSP. of olive oil in a small skillet and stir in the paprika. Remove from the heat.
Ladle the soup into four warm bowls, drizzle each portion with the seasoned olive oil, sprinkle with the fresh cilantro, and serve.

Tips:

When choosing red lentils, opt for split red lentils as they cook faster and don't require soaking.
If using whole red lentils, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking to reduce cooking time.
To achieve a smooth and creamy soup, use an immersion blender or a regular blender to blend the soup until desired consistency is reached.
Adjust the amount of spices used according to your taste preferences. If you prefer a milder soup, use less cayenne pepper and cumin.
Garnish the soup with fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, or mint for an extra layer of flavor and color.

Conclusion:

Red lentil soup with African spices is a delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and healthy meal. The combination of red lentils, African spices, and vegetables creates a flavorful and satisfying soup that is sure to warm you up on a cold day. With its vibrant color and rich taste, this soup is a great way to add some variety to your weekly menu. So, gather your ingredients, follow the simple steps, and enjoy a bowl of this delicious and comforting soup!