Almond Soup Looz Shorba Recipes

ALMOND SOUP (LOOZ SHORBA)

Steps:

• Start the chicken broth boiling.
• While waiting for that, soften the onions in butter in a small sauce pan.
• Add flour to onion mixture and stir. This makes a kind of paste.
• Once chicken broth is boiling add the onion/flour mix to the boiling broth and stir briskly.
• Let simmer for a few minutes, then add the ground almonds. Let simmer 20 minutes.
• Add the heavy cream, stirring until heated through.
• Add salt and pepper to taste, though I find it doesn't need it.
• Serves about 4.

TRADITIONAL SHORBA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook chicken in boiling water, skimming any fat, until partially cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Stir tomato puree, whole onion, bay leaves, cardamom pods, mistika, salt, and pepper into the pot. Cook until chicken is cooked through and tender, about 50 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

YELLOW MUNG DAL SOUP - DAL SHORBA

Steps:

• Note: I used 1/2 tsp of dried thyme and just crumbled it between my fingers. (That's before I realized the recipe actually called for turmeric, not thyme). If you don't like things too hot, slice the pepper in half and seed it and toss in the halves - retrieve them before pureeing/serving. The recipe called for water, but I used vegetable broth, which I think added to the flavor of the soup.
• Wash and rinse the mung dal. The first package I bought was artificially colored - I washed it repeatedly until the water was quite clear, so check your package before buying!
• Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onion, sauteing until it becomes translucent. Add the garlic and ginger, stirring, and cook briefly.
• Add the turmeric.
• Add the mung dal and 4 cups of broth or water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer. If you are using water, add salt at this point. Also add the chili peppers. Stir from time to time and skim off any foam. Add additional water, as needed. Simmer until the mung dal are quite soft, 30-45 minutes.
• Puree at this point, if desired. If you are using chili halves, remove before pureeing. (The last time I made this I used a ripe jalapeno, and left it in . I did not puree it to the very end, leaving some texture and very pretty red chili flecks in the soup).
• In a small skillet heat the butter until it foams. Add the cumin and stir it in for just a few seconds, then scrape it all into the saucepan. (The last few times I made this, I just sprinkled a little cumin on top, and that worked just as well, less work and fewer dishes to wash!).
• Add the lemon or lime juice and ladle into bowls. Garnish with chopped cilantro.
• This made two servings for me, but will probably make 3 to 4 for others.