SYRIAN SPLIT RED LENTIL SOUP

SYRIAN SPLIT RED LENTIL SOUP image

Categories Bean

Yield 4 to 6 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

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2 1/2 cups dried split red lentils
10 cups cold water
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 to 2 teaspoons minced garlic, to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour dissolved in 3 tablespoons cold water
Lemon wedges (1 to 2 per person)

Steps:

1. Submerge the lentils in a medium-size bowl filled with cold water. Pick out small rocks and skim off any dirt or old shells that float to the surface. Drain. 2. Put the drained lentils in a 5-quart saucepan or kettle, add the water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, partially cover, and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add the salt and mix well. Continue to simmer until the soup becomes fairly thick, like pea soup, an additional 10 to 15 minutes. 3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the garlic, cumin, and coriander. 4. Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat and add the garlic mixture. Brown the mixture until the garlic and oil turn into a yellow sauce, about 30 seconds (make sure not to cook the garlic over high heat; it burns easily). Remove from the heat and set aside. 5. Add the dissolved flour to the soup. Simmer, partially covered, for 10 minutes. (May be frozen for up to 1 month at this point or refrigerated for 2 to 3 days. When reheating, it may be necessary to add water, as the soup thickens upon cooling.) 6. Taste the soup for salt. Serve very hot accompanied by lemon wedges, which are squeezed, several drops at a time, into each spoonful of soup as it is eaten.