Bulgarianlentilsoup Recipes

LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 2 minutes.
• Add celery and carrot. Cook for 7 - 10 minutes or until softened and the onion is sweet. Don't rush this step, it is key to the flavour base of the soup.
• Add all remaining ingredients except the lemon and salt. Stir.
• Increase heat and bring to simmer. Scoop scum on the surface off and discard (do this again during cooking if required). Place lid on and turn heat down to medium low. Simmer for 35 - 40 minutes or until lentils are soft.
• Remove bay leaves.
• Thicken Soup: Using a stick blender, do 2 or 3 quick whizzes to thicken the soup (see video below). Or transfer 2 cups to a blender, let it cool slightly, then hold lid with tea towel and blend then transfer back into pot.
• Add a touch of water if you want to adjust soup consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Grate over the zest of the lemon then add a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve with warm crusty bread slathered liberally with butter!

BULGARIAN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Place lentils in a pot with ample water, a dash of oil and boil.
• Chop carrots and onions and place in the pot.
• Chop tomatoes and capsicum and place in the pot approx 15 min after you put the carrots.
• Add spices and peeled garlic cloves except fenugreek and garden herbs.
• Let cook slowly until the lentils are cooked.
• Sprinkle garden herbs and fenugreek, turn off burner and cover with a lid.
• Salt to taste.
• Serve with sour cream/yoghurt.
• Optional:.
• You can also chillify it a bit either by adding green chillies or a tsp of chilli powder.
• For a thicker consistency you can dissolve a tbsp of flour with the soup in a bowl and slowly add 5 min before cooking is finished.

HUNGARIAN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, saute the onions in oil until they are glossy. Stir in garlic, paprika, celery, carrots, and saute for 10 minutes.
• Once the vegetables have sauteed for 10 minutes stir in tomatoes, chicken stock, lentils, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir well, then add the wine and bring the mixture to a boil. Slowly reduce the heat and cook for 1 hour on low to medium heat; or until the lentils are tender.
• Sprinkle the soup with parsley and Parmesan (optional) before serving.

SOPA DE LENTEJAS (ANDALUCIAN LENTIL SOUP)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the bacon just until it starts to brown a bit, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the olive oil, onion, and bell pepper; cook and stir until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic, tomatoes, sausage, and bay leaf; cook about 4 minutes. Add lentils and water (water should be about an inch deeper than the level of the lentils). Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, until lentils are just cooked, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Put the potatoes into the soup and continue simmering until potatoes are cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes.

LESHTA CHORBA BULGARIAN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• On the stove top in a large soup pan, heat the broth or water on medium high till almost boiling.
• Meanwhile, chop the carrots, onion, and garlic.
• Add all ingredients to the pot. Salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over low heat till the lentils are done 35-45 minutes.
• It's important to note that you don't want this dish to boil, but just simmer under the boiling point. The lower and slower you can cook the soup the better it will be. However, if you don't have time for low and slow, this hour version will also be great.

BUTTERMILK AND WALNUT SOUP (A BULGARIAN SOUP)

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Chill and serve.