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Mediterranean Lentil Soup

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Mullai

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Mediterranean lentil soups are nutritious, packed with amazing flavors, its so comforting and pretty easy to make at home.  You can make these with over stove top, traditional pressure cooker , instant pot or slow cooker. 

VEGETABLE PASTA IN WHITE SAUCE – Pasta in white sauce recipe

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Mediterranean Lentil Soup

Lentil soup made with brown lentils and aromatic middle eastern spices.

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: greek, lebanese, Mediterranean, middle eastern
Keyword: lentil soup, soup
Servings: 4
Author: Mullai Madavan

Ingredients

Ingredients – Zatar Spice

  • 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dried Thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dried Marjoram
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sumac
  • 1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt

Ingredients – Lentil Soup

  • 1 cup Brown Lentil whole masoor lentil
  • 1 each Bay leaf
  • 1 small Carrot
  • 3 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1 cup Onion
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon Fresh ground black pepper powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cumin powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sumac or use lemon zest or lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 4 cups Water
  • 1 tablespoon Parsley for garnish

Ingredients – Zatar Cheese Bread

  • 1 each Pita Bread
  • 1/4 cup Mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon Zatar Spice Mix
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon Crushed pepper or chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon Parsley

Instructions

To make Zatar Spice Mix

  • Dry roast sesame seeds and cumin seeds and powder them coarsely and mix it along with dried oregano, thyme, marjoram, sumac, chilli powder and salt.

To make Lentil soup

  • Cook brown lentil with water along with bay leaf and carrot using an Instant pot.
  • Use bean mode and cook for 30 minutes over high pressure. Let the pressure release naturally once its done.
  • When done the lentil will still hold its shape but will cook perfectly. You may choose to eat that way or blend it to a smooth consistency using a hand blender.
  • Saute chopped onion, garlic with cumin and chilli powder in olive oil until translucent.
  • Add this to the simmering lentil along with sumac, black pepper powder and salt.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

To make the Zatar Cheese Bread

  • Brush a pita bread with garlic sauce, top it with mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with zatar spice mix, red chilli powder and parsley. Microwave for 45 seconds!

Notes

Substitutes
Sumac spice – available in most middle eastern stores / amazon , is more of a  lemony flavor spice… hence substitute with lemon zest or lemon salt. 
Dried herbs –  available in middle eastern stores / amazon. thyme and oregano are main herbs to include. Use more of oregano if you can’t find marjoram.
Cooking
Traditional Pressure cooker method – Give it about 5 whistles.
Instant Pot – 30 minutes High pressure + NPR
Stove Top – Cook Covered for 45 minutes medium flame.
Garlic Sauce – Made a quick version of garlic sauce – Blend 5 cloves garlic with 1/4 cup olive oil and gently fold in 2 tablespoon mayo in it. 

Lemon Parsley Pilaf

Nasi Goreng (INDONESIAN FRIED RICE)

 

 

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