Nile River 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.

NILE RIVER LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy pot on medium high heat.
• Saute onion and garlic until softened.
• Stir in lentils, ginger, cumin and coriander with onion/garlic mixture.
• Add lemon slices, stock, tomatoes, cayenne, salt and pepper.
• (you can add salt and pepper later, but it's usually added now).
• Add the water or vegetable stock.
• Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover pot and simmer for about 45 minutes (it may only take 30 minutes) or until lentils are tender.
• If you like your soup thin, add more stock.
• Take the pot off the burner, discard lemon slices, and puree soup in blender or food processor.
• Season if you have not already added the salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle with coriander (cilantro leaves).
• Alternatively, you can add the cilantro before you put the soup in the food processor.