Littlemafias Romanian Lentil Soup Recipes

THE BEST LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrot, onion, celery and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are starting to caramelize and take on a dark brown color, 8 to 10 minutes (this step is important as it will add tons of flavor to your soup!).
• Stir in the tomato paste and garlic and cook, scraping up the brown bits, until the garlic is fragrant and slightly softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add in the lentils, stock, 4 cups water, thyme, bay leaf, oregano, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, 2 teaspoons salt and a generous amount of black pepper and stir to combine. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the lentils are softened with just a bit of bite, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf. Puree 2 1/2 cups of the soup in a blender until smooth then stir back into the pot. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Ladle into bowls and garnish with more parsley.

LITTLEMAFIA'S ROMANIAN SOUR SOUP(CIORBA)

Steps:

• Cut all the vegetables in cubes.
• Sautee the onion, add the rest of veggies.
• Add the water and the stock.When it's almost done add the tomato paste, chopped parsley. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice according to your taste. Add little by little so it's not too sour.

LITTLEMAFIA'S ROMANIAN MEATBALLS SOUP

Steps:

• To make the meatballs, mix together all the ingredients. Then take a little of this mixture and make little balls (the size that you like - my mom makes them quite big while I prefer them small).
• Fry the chopped onion in oil .
• Add the chopped or grated onion,carrot,parsley and celery root.
• Add the water , salt and leave to boil for 10 - 15 minutes, then add the meatballs to the soup, one by one.
• Simmer until the meatballs rise - about 30-45 minutes .
• Add the parsley .
• Turn off the heat and cover for 15 minutes.
• This step is optional :In a separate bowl, mix 2 egg yolks with the sour cream. Add the egg/sour cream mixture into the soup.
• To season the soup add fresh lemon juice - adjusting to taste.
• Add the chopped parsley,the celery and the lovage leaves.
• Serve with sour cream.

LENTIL & CARDAMOM SOUP

Steps:

• Put the onion, garlic, carrot and ginger into a saucepan, drizzle over the oil, and cook for a few mins to soften. Add the turmeric, cardamom and cumin. Stir well to combine, and cook gently for a few mins more, until the spices are aromatic.
• Add the lentils to the pan. Pour over the coconut milk, fill the can with water and add this too. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer for 15 mins until the lentils are soft and swollen but retain a little bite. Using a hand blender, pulse the soup until some is blended completely, leaving some larger vegetable chunks.
• Zest the lemon straight into the pan, then squeeze the juice over the soup and stir through with a pinch of salt, chilli and finely chopped herbs. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle over a little more lemon zest, if you like.

LITTLEMAFIA'S ROMANIAN BEEF SOUR SOUP

Steps:

• Bring to boil the beef cut into medium sized pieces together with water and salt.
• Remove the scum several times, then add some salt.
• Clean and chop or grate the veggies and add them to the soup.
• Later add the tomatoes . Let it boil for another 10 - 15 minute.
• Separately boil the pickled cabbage juice then add it to beef soup.
• Add the noodles.
• Boil the sour soup for another few minutes, add the tomato paste, put salt and lemon juice to taste.
• When is cooked, add parsley and lovage leaves.

LITTLEMAFIA'S ROMANIAN TRIPE SOUP

Steps:

• Boil the tripe with salt very well for 4 - 5 hour, then strain it and cut it into small strips.
• Put it in a pan together with the veggies finely chopped and 1 tablespoon of rice and boil them until the vegetables and the rice are tender.
• Remove from the fire, add beaten egg mixed with vinegar, stirring well.
• Put salt to taste.
• Add the garlic finely chopped and optionally chopped parsley leaves.
• Serve with sour cream.

LITTLEMAFIA'S ROMANIAN BEANS SOUP

Steps:

• Saute oil and flour together until light brown.
• Add onion and paprika, saute for 10 minutes.
• Add the cubed pork, saute for 5 minutes.
• Add bean and stock and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Season with vinegar, salt and pepper.

MOROCCAN LENTIL AND CHICKPEA SOUP

Steps:

• In large heavy saucepan or dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in onion and celery and cook, covered, for 7-10 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring occasionally.
• Add cinnamon, turmeric, salt, pepper, ginger, hot pepper sauce and saffron. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas and broth. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, for about 40 minutes or until lentils are tender.
• Stir in noodles and simmer, covered, about 7 minutes longer or until noddles are just tender. In bowl, whisk flour, and 1 cup water until smooth. Whisk flour mixture into soup and simmer, stirring often, for 2-4 minutes or until soup is thickened and no raw flour taste remains.
• Stir in half of the parsley and cilantro, and all of the lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding up to 1/2 tsp more salt if needed. Garnish with remaining parsley and cilantro.