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
Mediterranean Lentil Soup
Lentil soup made with brown lentils and aromatic middle eastern spices.
Servings: 4
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.
Nasi Goreng (INDONESIAN FRIED RICE)
