Egyptian Red Lentil Soup (Shurbet el-Ads)

This month in Mena's Cooking Club our host Amira  choose two savory dishes an Egyptian Musaqaa and Egyptian Lentil Soup. We could choose any one but I decided to make both.

The key to making an authentic Egyptian lentil soup is in the spices – the cumin is a staple in most Middle Eastern soups.

Ingredients
½  Cup Red lentils
1 Onion - diced
1 Potato - peeled and diced
1 Carrot - diced
1 Celery Stock - chopped
3 Cloves of Garlic - minced
1 Teaspoon Olive oil
1 Bay leaf
½ Teaspoon Cumin  powder or to taste
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
¼ Teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional)
A teaspoon of freshly squeezed lime
A small Vegetable Stock Cube 
3 Cups of Water
Bread croutons

Method
Wash and soak lentils for 10 minutes.
Heat oil in a pan, sauté onion and garlic. Then add lentils, potatoes, carrots, bay leaf and chopped celery. Add the water, vegetable soup and bring it to a boil. Cover and cook till done. Then add the cumin, pepper and salt to taste. Stir well and taste to see if the spices need to be adjusted.  

Remove whole bay leaves and discard. Blend the soup to a smooth paste. Add water to adjust the consistency of the soup and transfer it back into the pan. Bring it to a boil.
Serve soup warm. Add freshly squeezed lime juice and Bread croutons.  

This soup is so comforting, smooth and creamy, with just a hint of heat.  

Labels: Soup, Healthy, Vegan, International Cuisine,  Shurbet el-Ads, Egypt, Red Lentils, Masoor Dal, Middle Eastern

Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup

Ingredients
1/4 Cup Red lentils ( Masoor dal)
1/4 Cup Rice
1 Medium Onion - chopped
1/2 Cup Carrot - diced
1/4 Teaspoon Turmeric powder
1/4 Teaspoon Cumin powder
1/4  Teaspoon Coriander powder
1/4 Teaspoon Pepper powder
1 Teaspoon Olive oil or Butter
4 Cups Water
1 Tablespoon  Parsley  - finely chopped
A teaspoon  lemon juice

Method

In a large pot add water, lentil, rice, cook on low heat for till the rice and lentils are cooked and soft.  Remove the scumb that comes on to the surface and then add the turmeric, salt, boil again for few minutes.  In another saucepan on medium heat, add the olive oil, onions and saute till brown. Next, add the carrots to the onions and cook for 3 minutes. Add the cumin, coriander and pepper powder, let it simmer on very low flame for 15 minutes. Adjust the consistency of the soup .

Serve hot with parsley ( I used dried parsley) on top and lemon juice. 

I sprinkled a pinch of cayenne pepper on the soup for a punch.  It tasted awesome.

Sending this to Mireille's, challenge cooking with seeds and linking it to Priya.

Labels: Cooking with seeds, Healthy, Continental Cuisine, Soup, Masoor dal, Vegan, Mediterranean, Red Lentils, Gluten free