Egyptian Red Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 5 cups water
• 1 cup dried red lentils
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 2 cups chopped potatoes
• 8 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Add the first 5 ingredients to a large pot; cover and bring to a boil.

2. 2

   Lower the heat and simmer 15-20 minutes or until the lentils and veggies are tender.

3. 3

   Take pot from stove burner and set aside.

4. 4

   In a small saucepan, add the oil; warm over low heat until the oil is hot but not smoking.

5. 5

   Add in the cumin, turmeric, and salt; cook and stir constantly for for 2-3 minutes or until the cumin has released its fragrance (be careful not to scorch the spices).

6. 6

   Set spice mixture aside for 1 minute to cool.

7. 7

   Stir spice mixture into the lentil mixture; add cilantro, stir to combine.

8. 8

   You can puree the soup, in batches, in a blender OR you can use an immersion blender and blend to desired texture (I like to leave it a little chunky).

9. 9

   Add in lemon juice; stir to combine.

10. 10

    Rewarm soup in soup pot; season if needed with salt/pepper.