LENTIL SOUP

No ramadan is complete without the traditional lentil soup that has been passed down generations of family to make itself present at our iftar table!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 kg orange lentils

• 1 onion, diced

• 1 potato, peeled and cubed

• Juice of one lemon

• 1 tablespoon cumin powder (you’ll need more as you go)

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

• 1 teaspoon curry powder (optional)

• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

• Salt and pepper, to taste

PREPARATION

1. Rinse lentils well and strain before starting. Boil a kettle of water, and keep it next to you the whole time you’re making the soup.

2. In a large pot, sauté diced onion in olive oil until fragrant and translucent.

3. Add salt, cumin, turmeric and curry powder and mix to combine. Then add the potatoes and mix well.

4. Next, add the lentils over the onion and potato mix, with more olive oil and keep mixing.

5. Add 1 liter of boiling water, and a teaspoon of white vinegar, and a little more cumin. Now cover the soup and bring to boil over medium heat for approximately 10 minutes, allowing all the ingredients to really simmer and become flavorful, and the lentils to open up.

6. After 10 minutes, check on it and add more water as needed, because the lentils will absorb a lot of water during the cooking process. Let it boil for an additional 15 minutes.

7. Remove the pot off the heat and with a hand blender, blend everything into a smooth consistency while still hot.

8. Add more water and bring it back to boil after blending. At this point, add lemon juice, black pepper, more salt and cumin as needed. Keep adding the water until you reach the desired consistency. Some people prefer a very thick and creamy consistency, while others prefer a more liquid consistency.

9. Once ready, you can add a sprinkle of some freshly cracked pepper, or parsley.

10. Serve with fried pita bread.

Notes:
Lentils absorb a lot of water, so if you prepare it ahead of time, you will need to bring it to boil and add more water right before serving.

Lentil soup will naturally thicken if not served immediately, simply bring it to boil again and add some water to it if that happens.

You could prepare the lentil soup in advance, portion it in tupperwares and freeze up to 3 months. Simply take out the portion a day before and keep in the fridge to thaw, then place in pot, add water and bring to boil.

Always check for seasoning and spices. You can never have enough salt or cumin or lemon juice in lentil soup.

Some people like to add a carrot in there as well.