One-Pot Wonders

Middle Eastern Red Lentil Soup

Name: Middle Eastern Red Lentil Soup
Yield: Serves 3-4
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 onion diced; 5-6 baby carrots, diced (that\'s what I had on hand or use 1 carrot); 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced; 2 teaspoons cumin; 1 teaspoon corriander; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 3/4 cup split red lentils; 3 cups vegetable broth (see note below); Half lemon, juiced (about 1 tablespoon); Salt and black pepper to taste; Crushed red pepper for heat (optional)

by: thesinglebite

October 11, 2014

5 1 Ratings

Serves 3-4

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Author Notes

This is seriously one of the best things I've ever made. It's one of those "wow this is so good I can't believe I made this" moments. It's crazy flavorful and it's easy to make. Proof that amazingly delicious good food doesn't have to be complicated with fancy schmancy ingredients and techniques. One of my secrets to this is a good vegetable broth. Some have zero flavor. I happen to love Edward & Son's Not-Chick'n bullion cubes that I get at Whole Foods. I use one cube dissolved in three cups of water for this recipe (package says one cube in two cups water but that would be too salty).
—thesinglebite

What You'll Need

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
¹/₂ onion diced
5-6 baby carrots, diced (that's what I had on hand or use 1 carrot)
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon corriander
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon tomato paste
³/₄ cup split red lentils
3 cups vegetable broth (see note below)
half lemon, juiced (about 1 tablespoon)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Crushed red pepper for heat (optional)

Directions

Add olive oil to saucepan and heat over medium-low. Add onion and carrots with a dash of salt and cook 3-4 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika and cook 2 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste and the lentils, then add the broth and lemon juice. Bring to a boil then reduce to low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes.
Season with salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper to taste.
Puree in a blender or with an immersion blender.
Note: recommend using a quality, flavorful broth such as Edward & Son's Not-Chick'n bullion cubes. Dissolve one cube in three cups hot water for this recipe.

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2 Reviews

K-Zilla March 25, 2019

This soup was truly amazing, my kids (3 and 5) asked for seconds!

My question is.....how can I triple this recipe reliably with all that spice? Please and thanks : )

david E. March 18, 2017

This was relatively quick and very easy (if you have the ingredients in your cupboard.) I cut the onion down a bit just to not have it overwhelm. for my broth, I used "better than bouillon" chicken concentrate. Filling , healthy and inexpensive. Would definitely make again.

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