Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek Corbasi)

Red lentil soup is a well known Turkish classic dish.. It is a very refreshing and delicious soup especially for winters. When served with a crusty loaf of bread it makes a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup ‏Red Lentil (washed and drained)
• 1 ‏onion (finely chopped)
• 1 ‏potato (finely chopped)
• 1 ‏carrot (finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon ‏salt
• 1 teaspoon ‏crushed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon ‏tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon ‏ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons ‏olive oil
• 5 cups ‏water or chicken stock

For Garnish

• 2 tablespoons ‏butter/olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ‏paprika
• A pinch of ‏salt
• 1 tablespoon ‏lemon juice
• 3-4 ‏mint leaves

Directions:

1. Take a large pan add olive oil and chopped onion. Saute onion for 2 minutes on medium heat.

2. Add tomato paste, chopped carrot and chopped potato. Saute again for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat.

3. Then add the washed and drained red lentil, salt, ground cumin, crushed red pepper and chicken stock. Stir well.

4. Cook on medium heat for about 30 to 40 minutes until the lentil and vegetables are soft. Remove from heat.

5. Add the soup in a blender and blend until smooth. If it is too thick add some water to get right consistency.

6. In a small pan add butter/olive oil and cook on low heat. When it starts boiling, stir in the salt and paprika. Turn off the heat.

7. Transfer the soup to a bowl, pour butter/oil mixture on the top and garnish it with mint leaves, and do not forget to add a few drops of lemon juice.

8. Serve the red lentil soup hot and Enjoy!!