Lebanese Lentil And Swiss Chard Soup Recipes

CHARD LENTIL SOUP, LEBANESE-STYLE

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Cook lentils in boiling water until beginning to soften, 8 to 10 minutes. Add chard; continue cooking until wilted, about 5 minutes.
• Add potatoes to the boiling water, reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook until the potatoes are completely cooked, about 12 minutes.
• Mix lemon juice, crushed garlic, and salt together in a bowl; add to the pot. Continue to cook at a simmer another 5 minutes. Stir olive oil into the mixture. Increase heat to high and cook another 1 to 2 minutes.

LEBANESE LENTIL AND SWISS CHARD SOUP

Steps:

• Spread the lentils on a platter and pick them clean of any impurities. Rinse & drain.
• Put the lentils and water in a large saucepan and place over a high heat. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan, and boil gently for 30 - 45 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
• While the lentils are cooking, wash the swiss chard, trim the dirty bottom ends of the stalks, if any, and chop into thin strips about 1/2-inch wide. Add to the lentils & simmer another 5-10 minutes until the chard has softened.
• Peel the garlic cloves, chop them coarsely, and put them in a mortar. Add a generous pinch of salt to absorb the juices released from the crushed garlic and pound with a pestle until you have a smooth paste. You could squeeze the garlic with a garlic crusher but the texture and taste of pounded garlic is nicer.
• Slowly incorporate the lemon juice into the garlic paste, then the olive oil.
• When the lentils and chard are done, stir the garlic mixture into the soup. Season with salt to taste and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
• Taste, adjust seasoning if necessary and serve at room temperature.

INSTANT POT® LEBANESE LENTIL AND CHARD SOUP

Steps:

• Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Heat olive oil in the pot. Add onion, potato, celery, and garlic; cook and stir until starting to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle 1/2 of the cilantro, salt, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon on top; stir until fragrant.
• Pour in water and lentils. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 15 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
• Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Stir in chard; cover soup and let sit until chard wilts, about 5 minutes. Uncover and stir in juice of 1 lemon.
• Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with remaining cilantro. Cut the second lemon into wedges and serve alongside.