Cozy Delicious Lentil & Spinach Soup
This is a Middle Eastern soup, typical of the simple foods served in the desert regions. Serve with pita bread and a grain or vegetable dish for a simple meal. This soup is also food served cold, stuffed into a pita bread.
Yield
8 servingsPrep
⅓Cook
1 1/6 hrsReady
1½ hrsLow Fat, Low in Saturated Fat, Low Cholesterol, Cholesterol-Free, Trans-fat Free, High Fiber
Ingredients
| Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ½ | cups |
lentils
dried |
|
| 8 | cups |
water
|
|
| 1 | large |
onions
chopped |
|
| 3 | cloves |
garlic
peeled and minced |
|
| 6 | ounces |
tomato paste
|
|
| 2 | bunch |
spinach
cleaned, chopped |
|
| ½ | cup |
parsley leaves
fresh |
|
| ¼ | teaspoon |
black pepper
freshly ground |
|
| ⅛ | teaspoon |
red pepper flakes
crushed |
|
| ¼ | cup |
lemon juice
fresh |
|
Ingredients
| Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 355 | ml |
lentils
dried |
|
| 1.9 | l |
water
|
|
| 1 | large |
onions
chopped |
|
| 3 | cloves |
garlic
peeled and minced |
|
| 173.4 | ml/g |
tomato paste
|
|
| 2 | bunch |
spinach
cleaned, chopped |
|
| 118 | ml |
parsley leaves
fresh |
|
| 1.3 | ml |
black pepper
freshly ground |
|
| 0.6 | ml |
red pepper flakes
crushed |
|
| 59 | ml |
lemon juice
fresh |
|
Directions
Place the lentils and water in a large pot.
Bring to a boil, cover, and cook for 30 minutes over medium low heat.
Add the onion, tomato paste and garlic and cook an additional 30 minutes.
Add the spinach, parsley, and peppers.
Mix well and cook for another 10 minutes.
Add the lemon juice just before serving.
Mix in well and serve at once.
I added a bit of fresh ground nutmeg and salt to taste.
Note: I have found that balsamic vinegar in place of lemon juice is wonderful with lentils and imparts a slightly sweet taste.
