North African Style Lentil Soup Recipes

RED LENTIL SOUP WITH NORTH AFRICAN SPICES RECIPE - (3.4/5)

Steps:

• Pair this soup with a salad and bread for lunch or a light supper. 1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add coriander, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in broth, water, and lentils and bring to simmer. Simmer vigorously, stirring occasionally, until lentils are soft and about half are broken down, about 15 minutes. 2. Whisk soup vigorously until it is coarsely pureed, about 30 seconds. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and extra lemon juice to taste. Cover and keep warm. (Soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Thin soup with water, if desired, when reheating.) 3. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in small skillet. Remove from heat and stir in mint and paprika. Ladle soup into individual bowls, drizzle each portion with 1 teaspoon spiced butter, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve.

NORTH AFRICAN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse lentils several times in cold water, setting aside to drain.
• Heat garlic in olive oil in large saucepan, being careful not to scorch garlic.
• Add onion and saffron and cook, stirring, until onions are tender (add a few drops of water if onions try to stick).
• Add carrots, celery, and turnip, cooking 10 minutes over low heat.
• Add lentils, broth, tomatoes, and parsley.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover.
• Simmer over low heat 1 1/2 hours until lentils are tender and broth is slightly thickened.
• Add lemon juice just before serving.

NORTH AFRICAN STYLE LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Bacon is optional. To make a vegetarian dish, start by cooking the onions. Chop bacon into 1" pieces and cook in a large cast iron pan over medium heat. After the bacon is cooked a little more than halfway, add olive oil, chopped red onions and garlic. Once the onions are cooked through, add the spices - coriander, cinnamon, cumin and then salt and pepper. Let everything cook for another 5 minutes - keep an eye on the heat and don't let it get too hot. Add water and lentils. Lower the heat a little bit and cover the pan. The type of lentils used determines cooking time. Some cook faster and require more water than others. Keep the lid on while the lentils are cooking. If using slow cooking lentils, stir every 10-15 minutes and keep an eye on the water level. After the lentils are cooked, add halved cherry tomatoes and hot sauce. Put on low heat for another 5-10 minutes. The tomatoes can also double as a garnish if kept on top. Serve in bowls with pita bread on the side. When reheating, you may need to reconstitute with water.

LAUREN'S LENTIL SOUP (NORTH AFRICAN STYLE)

Steps:

• Place first 12 ingredients in large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for one hour.
• Add carrots, celery, onion and garlic. Again bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until lentils and vegetables are soft, probably about one hour. Don't overcook the vegetables!
• Puree half the soup in a food processor or blender, then return pureed portion to the pot, stirring all together.
• Garnish with green onions or fresh parsley.