Here in KC, we have a couple places that serve some amazing falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, etc. Aladdin Cafe being the best and Jerusalem Cafe being the other. Both of these places serve Lentil Soup as a starter that we always look forward to. It has a ton of flavor. I have been trying to recreate this soup for awhile and I think I got it. Its super easy.
2 cups of red lentils (rinsed)
5-6 cups of water (1-2 veggie bullion cubes added)
1 chopped yellow onion
2 cloves garlic
1 lemon
2 Tbs curry power
1 Tbs cumin
1 tsp black pepper
2 tsp salt
(All spices are to taste)
Saute the onion and garlic until translucent. Add lentils, water and bullion and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes until lentils have turned brown and have broken down. Add spices, juice of 1 lemon and stir. Pour half of soup in blender and puree. This gives the soup a nice smooth texture, leaving some lentils still whole for variety. You can always use a stick blender and blend until the soup is how you want it. About 30 seconds. This goes great with toasted pita bread and tabouli salad. So delicious and tastes just like the cafe!
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I love Lentils. I haven't seen red lentils though. Do you think the tan/grayish lentils will work? I will have to just cook them down and mash or use the mixer on the pureed base.
ReplyDeleteSince I don't know what the tabouli salad entails, would appreciate a recipe for this. Thank you.......
Yes the grey lentils will work just fine! This is a nice basic soup that has a lot of mediterranean flavor. I believe you do have curry and cumin so you could make this. Tabouli salad can be purchased in a box in the health food or ethnic section at most grocery stores. Its made by the same company that makes falafel mix. The tabouli calls for an additional tomato and some mint or parsley i think. But you can leave that stuff out. I love mediterranean food!
ReplyDeleteHow do you know I have cumin and curry, miss?
ReplyDeleteI know it's been a long time since this was posted, but I still wanted to comment.
ReplyDeleteThis recipe is perfect. It tastes just like we remember at the restaurant.
We moved away to TX, and this is a nice little reminder of home.
Thank you for posting this.