Kırmızı Mercimek Çorbası

Cuisine: Turkish
Region: Common

Hot or cold, the Turkish Red Lentil Soup is a good one. It is nutritious too. Using vegetable broth/stock turns the recipe to vegetarian and vegan. Enjoy!

Serves: 4
Cooking time: approx. 2–25 min
You need: a pot, maybe a handheld blender

Ingredients

• 1 cup (about 200 ml) of red lentils, washed and rinsed
• 7 cups of broth (vegetable, chicken, or beef)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1 Tsp ground cumin
• 1/8 Tsp of cayenne pepper or 1 Tsp of red pepper
• 1 Tsp of salt
• Chopped mint for serving
• A few drops of lemon juice

Instructions

1. Combine the ingredients in a pot.
2. Bring to a boil then lower the fire and cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until the carrots are soft. Stir occasionally.
3. Remove the pot from the fire and blend the soup with a utensil or a handheld blender until it is creamy but not completely pureed.
4. Serve with a garnish of mint.
5. Add a few drops of lemon juice for taste.

Notes on Turkish Red Lentil Soup

• To make your own vegetable stock, click here.
• To make your own chicken broth, click here.