• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Amira's Pantry

  • Home
  • Resources
  • All Recipes
  • Contact Us
  • About me
  • Disclosure / Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe!

Red lentil soup – revisited

December 28, 2015 by Amira 10 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe


This is the Egyptian definition of lentil soup, takes less than an hour to make and all in one pot. Purée the whole patch for a smooth soup or just half for a more textured one. Very easy to make and delicious to eat.
Best Egyptian red lentil soup
How was your Christmas? I hope you’ve had a safe and blessed one. I usually love this time of the year, I really do. I love everything about it. I love the smells,  music playing in the stores and everywhere you go. I love the lights decorating the neighbors’ homes. I love seeing kids line up for Santa. I love the food, the gatherings of friends and family, and the memories that we make.

This time of the year, reminds me so much of happy times in Egypt during Ramadan and Eid. The lights reminds me of the decorations we used to make to welcome the holy month when we were young. Crowded streets and people go shopping like crazy, reminds me of people go shopping for Ramadan food supplies and how crowded the streets are in the last days of Ramadan preparing for Eid.
Best Egyptian red lentil soup
Time with family and friends reminds me so much of iftar with family and friends in Ramadan. Special music that plays only in this time of the year reminds me as well of special songs in Eid and Ramadan, we even have a special Azan (call to prayer) that reminds us all of Ramadan. Kids running around, playing, giggles, chatter, seeing distant relatives, catching up with friends, foods …. it is all about making memories.

Maybe that’s why I like to spend Ramadan as much as I can in Egypt, so my kids can have memories like that. I remember playing with my cousins and staying up all night until sun rise, then fall asleep, after our grandmother begs us for the thousandth time to go to bed. I remember playing chess, board games, backgammon, watching the endless TV series with my cousins and sisters while our moms ask us to go pray but, we just want to play not pray :).
Best Egyptian red lentil soup
These joyful times, is really all about making good memories. Ones that, when life gets harder and we feel that there is no more hope, we just close our eyes and listen, smell, see and even taste those sweet memories. Memories that are usually put on the back burner, but are always recalled during hardship to make us feel better and be able to smile again.

So, my first resolution for this year is to try harder to make good memories before I go,

With my husband: by cheering for him, trying to understand more and disagree less.

With my kids: by loving more, caring more and yelling less.

With my friends: by being there, listening and encouraging them.

With my readers: by disappearing less and engaging more with you.

With the whole world: by praying that we all find peace and may be learn to live with each other.
Best Egyptian red lentil soup
Here is a recipe, that is for all Egyptians ,has lots of winter memories may be with families or friends. When it starts to be cold, this soup comes first to almost all of the Egyptians’ dinner tables. I’ve presented this recipe before, but now with a better photos and a video. What I like about this soup is that it is very forgiving that you can throw in almost any veggies you have in your fridge along with the lentils and it will turn out great each time.

I’ll leave you now hoping that this recipe will one day create sweet memories for you and your loved ones…. Enjoy!! Happy new year to all of you, may this year bring peace to the whole world.


 

Egyptian red lentil soup.

Author: Amira
Super easy, healthy, filling and frugal recipe.
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups of dry red lentils rinsed and drained.
  • 1 medium carrot peeled and cut in chunks.
  • 1 medium onion quartered.
  • 2 garlic cloves.
  • Water to cover or water + stock.

Optional veggies to add

  • 1 medium tomato quartered.
  • 1/2 or a whole green/yellow/red pepper .
  • a stick of celery.
  • 1/4 c cut coriander.
  • 1/4 c cur parsley.
  • 1 small potato - for thickening the soup.

Seasonings

  • 2 tsp of salt or to taste.
  • a generous pinch of ground cumin.

Instructions

  • Add all the vegetables in a deep pot, cover with water or water and stock, bring to a boil on medium high.
  • Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes or until all the veggies are done.
  • Let it cool, then blend in a blender or food processor for a smooth soup, for a more textured soup blend half or use an immersion blender.
  • Return soup to the pot and simmer for like 5 to 10 minutes until bubbly and hot.Season with salt and cumin powder.
  • Serve hot with crackers, pita bread, pita chips, tortillas ..... etc

Share
Pin
Tweet
39 Shares

Related Posts

  • Egyptian Lentil Soup

    We had our - almost- first snow couple of days ago so for me winter…

  • Turkey Albondigas Soup; Sopa De Albondigas Recipe

    Albondigas Mexican soup is a meatball soup that in incredibly tasty, full of flavors and…

  • Sahlab drink

    This traditional Middle Eastern drink is a dessert by itself, it is rich, creamy and…

Filed Under: Frugal, recipe, Soups Tagged With: Egyptian Cuisine

About Amira

I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

Previous Post: « Chickpea soup (Halabessa); spicy hummus drink
Next Post: Easy dessert – Sweet Couscous »

10
Leave a Reply

avatar

Photo and Image Files
 
 
 
This comment form is under antispam protection
5 Comment threads
5 Thread replies
0 Followers
 
Most reacted comment
Hottest comment thread
6 Comment authors
Crystal Taylor-HikalFionaAmiraJoanna Doughertymarie Recent comment authors
avatar

Photo and Image Files
 
 
 
This comment form is under antispam protection

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  Subscribe  
Notify of
Crystal Taylor-Hikal
Guest
Crystal Taylor-Hikal

Thank you Amira for yet another fantastic recipe that reminds me of our short times in Egypt and helps me serve food just like my “hamatee” . I recently made an interesting topping to swirl over the top for color and an extra kick. Heat some olive oil to very warm in a small pan, add smoked paprika powder and mix well to a runny paste consistency that is more oily than paste like, then add some crushed chipotle pepper (best option) or crushed red pepper to taste. Not only adults love it….my kids actually ask for it too and… Read more »

Reply
29 days ago
Amira
Author
Amira

Crystal, Thank you so much for your sweet comment, I am happy that my recipes help you even a little bit. This idea of olive oil and spices mix sounds great. I suffer convincing my kids to eat lentil soup and this breaks my heart seriously. I have grown up with this soup in cold winter days and I somehow feel sad when my kids refuse to eat it. I always serve it with crusty bread. This time though I will try your Americanized way with them and the dressing, they may be convinced.. who knows. I will let you… Read more »

Reply
29 days ago
Crystal Taylor-Hikal
Guest
Crystal Taylor-Hikal


Definitely! Hope to hear from you sometime. So glad I found your site and I get to try new things to keep both hubby and the kids happy. (Well most of them anyway). I had a housekeeper/cook for years in Qatar and once we returned to the USA I had to relearn my cooking skills. It’s not easy as women, having a busy household and trying to cook something that everybody is happy with. Keep up the good work and stay in touch….

Reply
29 days ago
Amira
Author
Amira

Thank you so much Crystal, will keep you updated.

Reply
26 days ago
Fiona
Guest
Fiona

My go-to recipe. Thank you so much for this amazing soup recipe Amira. It is a family favourite of ours. I add in some turmeric and swirl in a garlic and coriander sauté at the very end. Just perfect for my family. Happy Ramadan!

Reply
6 months ago
Amira
Author
Amira

Fiona, thank you so much for your feedback. I like your additions, sounds tasty. Happy you like the recipe.

Reply
6 months ago
Joanna Dougherty
Guest
Joanna Dougherty


Really enjoyed it! I added extra onion and some celery.

Reply
1 year ago
Amira
Author
Amira

Joanna, thank you for trying this recipe and I am happy you liked it.

Reply
1 year ago
marie
Guest
marie

Ah yes, the memories Amira! The sweet ones!
I love reading about yours.
Christmas is for me the time to unwind, be together and enjoy the moment. I spent many christmas, away from home, away from loved ones and they never had the same taste. Like you, I wish my kid to build up lovely memories. These moments help us to get through the storms.

Love soup and lentils. Perfect for the season!

Thank you and have a lovely, bright and blessed year 2016!

Reply
3 years ago
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz
Guest
[email protected]

I just love reading your posts and taking us with you down wonderful memory lane. And I can vouch for this delicious soup, it is so good. Happy New Year to you and your family!

Reply
3 years ago

Primary Sidebar

About Amira’s Pantry

I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends. Read More…

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search Amira’s Pantry

Busy Days RecipesDesserts recipes

Footer

Social media:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Resources
  • All Recipes
  • Contact Us
  • About me
  • Disclosure / Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe!

Popular Posts

How To Make Baked Brie in Puff Pastry (en Croute)
Cornish Game Hen Recipe Slow Cooker
No Wine! Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Classic Tiramisu Recipe (Without Alcohol)

My Pinterest!

wpDiscuz