As a lover of warm and comforting soups, I had the pleasure of trying the best Lebanese lentil soup during a trip to a Middle Eastern restaurant in Indianapolis. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Not only did I get to enjoy the delicious flavors, but I also got the recipe for it! Therefore, In this article, I’m excited to share the recipe for this hearty and nutritious soup, along with three unique twists that you can try on the classic recipe. So, get ready to warm up with a bowl of this amazing Lebanese lentil soup!
It was a crisp, sunny day in Indianapolis when my manager and I decided to have our business lunch at a Middle Eastern restaurant. We were greeted warmly by the owner and seated at a cozy corner table with a view of the kitchen. The scent of exotic spices filled the air as we perused the menu, trying to decide what to order.
After some deliberation, we settled on Lebanese lentil soup (aka shorbet adas) and a few appetizers to share. While we waited for our food, we sipped on aromatic Arabic coffee and chatted about work.
Suddenly, there was a commotion in the kitchen. We could hear someone shouting in Arabic and the clatter of pots and pans. As a result, the owner rushed to the kitchen and a young man emerged, holding his hand and looking visibly shaken.
It turned out that the young man, who was Lebanese, had accidentally injured himself while preparing our soup. He had sliced his finger with a knife, and blood was dripping down his hand.
The owner quickly attended to him, applying pressure to the wound and offering words of comfort in Arabic. Meanwhile, we sat at our table, feeling a little uneasy and unsure of what to do.
After a few minutes, the owner came over to our table, apologizing profusely for the delay and explaining what had happened. We assured him that it was no problem and asked about the young man’s condition.
“He’ll be okay,” the owner said with a smile. “He’s a tough kid. And he makes the best Lebanese lentil soup in town.”
As if on cue, a steaming bowl of lentil soup was placed in front of me, along with a basket of warm pita bread. The soup was fragrant and flavorful, with a hint of cumin and coriander. Additionally, the lentils were cooked to perfection, tender but not mushy. It was easily the best Lebanese lentil soup I had ever tasted.
As we savored our soup and nibbled on appetizers, I couldn’t help but wonder how the young man had made such a delicious dish. I turned to the owner and asked if he would be willing to share the recipe with me.
The owner hesitated for a moment, looking thoughtful. “It’s a family recipe,” he said finally. “Passed down from my grandmother to my mother, and now to me. I’m not sure if I should give it away.”
I understood his reluctance, but I was determined to get my hands on that recipe. Additionally, I explained that I just really want my family and friends to taste the wonders of this dish. Moreover, I also promised to keep the recipe a secret and not share it with anyone else.
After a lot of convincing, the owner finally relented. He called over the young Lebanese man who had prepared our soup and instructed him to write down the recipe for me. The young man smiled shyly and handed me a slip of paper with the ingredients and instructions.
I was ecstatic! I thanked the owner profusely and promised to come back soon. As we paid our bill and left the restaurant, I couldn’t stop thinking about that delicious soup and how lucky I was to have the recipe.
To sum up, that lunch at the Middle Eastern restaurant turned out to be a memorable experience for me. Not only did I get to taste the best Lebanese lentil soup ever, but I also got the recipe for it. It just goes to show that sometimes, the best things in life come unexpectedly.
Here is how I recreated the flavorful Lebanese lentil soup.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup green lentils, washed and drained
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of half a lemon
How to prepare Lebanese lentil soup (shorbet adas)?
- In a large pot, bring the heat up to medium and sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until soft and fragrant.
- Cook the cumin and coriander for a minute, stirring constantly. Add them to the mixture and continue cooking for another minute.
- Add the lentils and broth to the pot, bring to a boiling point, and let cook.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer the soup for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
- Remove the pot from the heat and allow the soup to cool slightly.
- Using either an immersion blender or a regular blender, blend the soup until it obtains a creamy texture. After accomplishing this, season with salt and pepper to taste and stir in the lemon juice.
- Serve with fresh herbs or olive oil as garnish if desired: Hot off the stove, this delicious dish is ready to be enjoyed.
This Lebanese lentil soup is a hearty and nutritious dish that’s perfect for a cold day. It’s packed with protein and fiber from the lentils, and the combination of cumin and coriander gives it a warm, comforting flavor. Try it out and see for yourself why it’s one of the best lentil soups around!
Are you ready to take your culinary experience to the next level? Here are three unique twists you could try on the classic Lebanese lentil soup recipe:
- Adding spice: By adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped chili pepper to the soup, you’re introducing a new flavor element that will give the soup a bit of heat. This can be a great way to make the soup more interesting and add some excitement to the dish. Just be sure to taste as you go, as a little bit of spice can go a long way!
- Adding veggies: While the classic recipe for Lebanese lentil soup doesn’t include any vegetables beyond onion and garlic, adding some extra veggies can be a great way to boost the nutritional value of the dish. Carrots, celery, and zucchini are all great options, as they’ll add some color, texture, and flavor to the soup. You can sauté them with the onions and garlic before adding the lentils and broth, or simply add them in during the simmering process.
- Adding a creamy element: By adding a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or a splash of heavy cream to the soup, you’re giving it a richer, creamier texture and flavor. This can be a great way to make the soup more indulgent and satisfying, and the tangy flavor of the yogurt or cream will complement the spices and lentils perfectly. Just be sure to add the yogurt or cream at the end of the cooking process, after you’ve pureed the soup so that it doesn’t curdle or separate.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my experience at the Middle Eastern restaurant and the recipe for the Lebanese lentil soup. Don’t hesitate to try it out and add your own unique twist to it! Remember, cooking is all about experimenting and having fun in the kitchen!