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Turkish Lentil Soup with Baby Spinach

by:
March  8, 2010
4.5
10 Ratings
  • Serves 4-6
Author Notes

This is a traditional Turkish Lentil Soup. I had this soup when I visited the mystical ancient city called Constantinople also known as Istanbul. I rememeber it was a chilly evening in October, we were walking around in the historic neighborhood of Sultan Ahmet. We walked into a very cozy little restuarant & we insisted if we could sit on the rooftop section of the restaurant with a gorgeous view of the Blue Mosque in sight! Everytime I make this soup, it takes me back to Istanbul! —onetribegourmet

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Ingredients
  • 5oz packets Organic Spinach
  • 1/2 cup chopped Onions
  • 1 teaspoon minced Garlic
  • 1/4 cup chopped Carrots
  • 1/4 cup Red Lentils
  • 2 tablespoons Bulgur Wheat
  • 4-6 cups Organic Chicken or Vegetable Stock
  • 2 teaspoons Tomato Paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sumac
  • 1/4 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 teaspoons Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1 sprig Fresh Italian Parsley
Directions
  1. Sauté chopped onions & minced garlic in extra virgin olive oil. Add chopped carrots; let the carrot cook for few minutes. Add red lentils & bulgur wheat & sauté some more. Add the chicken stock. Add tomato paste & stir well. Add sumac, paprika, salt & pepper. Let the soup simmer on low heat for 30-40 minutes until lentils & the bulgur wheat are tender. Serve hot with freshly squeezed lemon juice & chopped fresh parsley!
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Hi I'm Sara and I love the art of food & travel. I have a blog called One Tribe Gourmet, where I share my passion for global cuisine and my travel adventures around the world. I have always felt that food is the most common denominator that crosses all boundaries and brings people together. The ritual of “Breaking Bread” in every culture is a special bonding experience. Personally I love to experience different cultures through there cuisines! My goal here is to encourage an individual who is interested in learning different global cuisine yet is a bit intimidated by it. I am here to help you, all you have to do is open your heart!!!

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23 Reviews

Write a Review
Gwendolyn April 3, 2020
Delicious!!
Franca March 9, 2019
I added the spinach at the very end but, nowhere in the instructions is the spinach mentioned.
Eman D. June 10, 2018
A huge success! We all loved the soup. I substituted the spinach with cilantro,parsley, and mint added freshly at the very end.
Molly M. April 14, 2015
I made this soup for dinner tonight. I used Swiss chard instead of spinach, as it was what I had on hand this evening. I had to modify the spices a bit as I had no sumac. In place of the sumac I substituted ground coriander. I used quinoa in place of the bulgar wheat to make the soup gluten-free. It turned out wonderfully. I will be making this recipe again soon!
Elizabeth E. January 10, 2015
This is a wonderful soup! I worked with what I had and made some changes. To start I doubled everything, I had just a small amount of fresh spinach and I added that along with extra chopped parsley and cilantro to make up for the lack of greens. I think I also added extra bulgar, lemon, fresh garlic, and sumac too- to taste. It was fantastic and too, too easy. By the way, I added more bulgar and herbs because it was thin without the extra spinach, but keep in mind if you do this that the bulgar expands over time and you may end up adding in more liquid.
lalf January 4, 2015
Lovely soup! This recipe doubled quite well — I had a 10 oz bag of Swiss chard to use. At the end of the simmering, I pureed about 1/4 to 1/3 of the soup with an immersion blender and added it back into the remainder. I did use more parsley and lemon juice than indicated in the recipe. Fabulous flavor, husband couldn’t get enough. Thank you!
Tarragon March 28, 2014
I made this with French green lentils and chard. All else the same. Loved it. It was a great excuse to use medium-grind bulgur, which was perfect.
AntoniaJames October 26, 2012
This turned out great, even without the paprika. I had some thyme on hand, so I threw some in. I didn't have any wheat bulgur, but used whole wheat couscous, which worked well. The soup tasted better the next day, as soups and stews always do, and today (two days later) I stirred a couple big spoonfuls of my first batch of homemade sauerkraut of the season into what was left. Not very Turkish, I admit, but wow, it was delicious. ;o)
Synky March 16, 2012
Amazing soup!!! Everyone wanted more.....even the 4 year old! I really liked the combination of everything, also gave me a reason to find and try sumac (actually discovered a Turkish/ Azerbajani grocery store). I think next time I would double the lentils out of personal fondness for them. But yes, great soup, even better the next day!
SerenaH May 16, 2011
Easy to make and a big hit with teenagers and adults. Served it with cornbread.
i didn't have any Bulghar, so I substituted cous-cous and I also cut up and added chicken from a Whole Foods cooked chicken. Thank-you
linklau March 27, 2011
Delicious! I had everything in my pantry to make this soup except the sumac. I substituted a bit of Penzey's Turkish Seasoning, which I received as a sample. It has sumac in it. My husband declared this soup to be "soothing". I think I'll order some sumac and try this again. It is hearty and filling, perfect thing to make a big batch of at the start of a busy week.
crenkat January 30, 2011
You've traveled so much and post so many interesting Middle Eastern/Turkish recipes, I wondered if you knew how to make Turkish Delight (lokum)? I'm looking for centerpiece and recipe ideas for a luncheon spotlighting Turkey.
kamelia November 16, 2010
Very hearty and filling! I loved the addition of lemon and parsley at the end, it really made the soup. Even better the second day...!
onetribegourmet November 18, 2010
Thanks Kamelia! I love this soup too....especially the next day! :)
AlexandraD March 23, 2010
At which point do you add the spinach?
onetribegourmet March 25, 2010
Alexandra..this is embarassing...I forgot to post when to add the spinach. :-0 I added the spinach after I saute'd the carrots for few minutes. At that point you can add the chopped baby spinach & saute it for a minute. I hope that helps. :)
dymnyno March 9, 2010
This looks and sounds delicious!! I am going to try it soon. I think that Istanbul is one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the world. The opulence of the Ottoman Empire and the starkness of today's Muslims is so striking !
onetribegourmet March 10, 2010
Thank you! Please let me know how the soup turns out for you! :)
onetribegourmet March 9, 2010
Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes bulgur wheat makes this soup more substatial, alomost like a one-dish meal.
testkitchenette March 9, 2010
I love lentil soup and this looks nothing short of amazing!
onetribegourmet March 9, 2010
Thank you so much for your kind words!
HaikuTofu March 8, 2010
This looks absolutely gorgeous. I love lentils- they are always tastier than I expect. The bulgar wheat must add a nice chew to this soup as well.
onetribegourmet March 9, 2010
Thank you so much!