Fall

Hearty Turkish Bride Soup

January 24, 2014
5
2 Ratings
  • Serves 6-8
Author Notes

Turkish bride soup, from Annabel Langbein’s book: Simple Pleasure: the Free Range Cook. This soup is hearty from the lentils and bulgur, but tastes fresh from the fresh mint and lemon garnish. While it has a good flavor, I don’t think I’d make this particular recipe again, as I personally prefer creamier soups. However, it is very healthy, for those looking for good-for-the-body food to serve their families and themselves, so I do recommend you try it out for yourself. —FirstTimeFoods

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 medium onions, finely chopped
  • 1 (6oz) can of tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons smoked or plain paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less)
  • 2 cups red lentils
  • 1/2-3/4 cups bulgar or cracked wheat
  • 12 cups (3L) vegetable stock
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons dried mint
  • 2 tablespoons chopped mint leaves
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Plain yogurt (garnish)
  • Lemon wedges (garnish)
Directions
  1. Start by dicing the onions.
  2. Sauté the onions in the butter and olive oil and let them cook for ~10 minutes over low heat, until translucent.
  3. Then add in 1 full can (6 oz) of tomato paste, along with 2 teaspoons of paprika and ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and let it cook, while stirring, for another minute.
  4. Next add in stock, along with 2 cups of red lentils and ½ cup of bulgur.
  5. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat to bring the soup to a simmer for 30 minutes.
  6. Take the soup off the heat, and stir in 1 ½ tablespoons of dried mint, the juice of ½ lemon, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh mint leaves, and a few twists of a pepper shaker.
  7. To garnish the soup, add a dollop of plain, low-fat yogurt, additional chopped fresh mint, and a lemon wedge.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

1 Review

kym February 27, 2019
This soup is absolutely delicious!! It reminds me of my childhood. It taste like a vegetarian version of my Hungarian fathers Chicken paprikash recipe. I can't wait to make it for him!
It is hearty and warms the body and soul on a cold winter day. I will make it again and again.