Best Lebanese Spinach And Lentil Soup Recipes

LEBANESE LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Add the lentils to a large pot or Dutch oven and add the broth and water.
• Bring to a boil, cover and simmer until tender, 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, wash and separate the kale leaves from the stems. Cut the stems to small cubes and cut the leaves in large pieces.
• In a medium skillet melt the butter and add the garlic, cook for less than 1 minute, (don't burn) then add the cilantro, mix it until it softens and remove from heat immediately (the cilantro should stay almost raw green) set aside.
• Once the lentils are soft add all the vegetables celery, carrots, sweet potato, kale stems and ginger and cook until soft, 15 minutes.
• Once they become soft add the mix of cilantro and garlic along with the lemon on simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add the greens, cover the pot 10 minutes, then mix the soup and serve. Makes 16 cups.

EASY SPINACH LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large skillet or Dutch oven and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in carrot, onion, and olive oil cooking until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Cover bacon mixture with chicken broth, water, and salsa; mix in lentils, bay leaf, cumin, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until lentils are tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Stir in spinach and potatoes; simmer until spinach is wilted and potatoes are cooked, 10 to 15 minutes longer.

LEBANESE-STYLE RED LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Bring chicken stock and lentils to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic and onion, and cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 3 minutes.
• Stir onions into the lentils and season with cumin and cayenne. Continue simmering until the lentils are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Carefully puree the soup in a standing blender, or with a stick blender until smooth. Stir in cilantro and lemon juice before serving.

LEBANESE SPINACH AND LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan set over low-moderate heat, saute the onion in a drizzle of oil with a pinch of salt until transparent and starting to brown, 4 to 7 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
• Add the water, stock, lentils, and spices, and bring to a simmer.
• Cook, covered, until the lentils are tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
• In the meantime, drain the spinach in a colander and squeeze by handfuls to remove as much liquid as possible.
• In a large skillet, saute the spinach in batches with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt until cooked and almost crisp.
• Transfer the cooked spinach to a plate and set aside.
• Once the lentils are tender, add the vermicilli pieces and cook until the pasta is nearly tender, about 4 to 6 minutes.
• Add the sauteed spinach and juice of half a lemon to the pot, stir well, and add salt and pepper.
• Add more lemon if you like, or pass around wedges at the table.
• Ladle into bowls and top with cilantro.