Turkish Red Lentil Soup (Corba)

 

## Turkish Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek Çorbası) Recipe

This **Turkish Red Lentil Soup** is a comforting and nutritious dish, perfect for any time of the year. It features red lentils, vegetables, and spices, creating a flavorful and hearty meal. Here’s how to make it.

### Ingredients

- **3 tablespoons olive oil**

- **1 medium onion**, chopped

- **1 medium carrot**, grated (optional)

- **3 cloves garlic**, finely chopped

- **2 tablespoons tomato paste**

- **1 teaspoon ground cumin**

- **1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper** (or substitute with sweet paprika and a pinch of cayenne)

- **1 cup red lentils**, rinsed

- **6 cups vegetable or chicken stock** (or water)

- **Salt and pepper**, to taste

- **Juice of 1 lemon**, for serving

- **Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro**, for garnish (optional)

### Instructions

1. **Sauté the Vegetables**:

   - In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and grated carrot (if using). Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened but not browned.

   - Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

2. **Add Tomato Paste and Spices**:

   - Stir in the tomato paste, ground cumin, and Aleppo pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently until the tomato paste is well combined with the vegetables.

3. **Add Lentils and Stock**:

   - Add the rinsed red lentils to the pot and stir to combine. Pour in the vegetable or chicken stock, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

   - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

4. **Blend the Soup**:

   - Once the lentils are cooked through, you can blend the soup for a smooth texture using an immersion blender. Alternatively, transfer it in batches to a regular blender (be cautious with hot liquids) and blend until smooth.

5. **Serve**:

   - Ladle the soup into bowls. Serve warm with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of chopped parsley or cilantro on top.

### Tips

- Adjust the thickness of the soup by adding more stock or water if it becomes too thick.

- For added flavor, consider drizzling some chili-infused olive oil on top before serving.

- This soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen for up to three months.

Enjoy this delicious Turkish Red Lentil Soup as a wholesome meal that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare!

Citations:

[1] https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/turkish-lentil-soup/

[2] https://vidarbergum.com/recipe/turkish-lentil-soup/

[3] https://www.themediterraneandish.com/turkish-lentil-soup/

[4] https://www.simplyleb.com/recipe/turkish-lentil-soup-mercimek-corbasi/

[5] https://simplysohealthy.com/easy-low-carb-sesame-chicken-recipe/

[6] https://www.ruled.me/thai-bbq-pork-salad/

[7] https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/keto-chicken-pot-pie/

[8] https://thai-foodie.com/thaifood/nam-tok-recipe-thai-steak-salad/