Join me on a journey to discover the power of Middle Eastern lemony lentil soup in connecting people from all walks of life and the beauty of human connection it brings. I will share my heartwarming experience of visiting a Middle Eastern restaurant in Brooklyn. Through this experience, I got closer to a community and culture I might have otherwise remained ignorant of. As a bonus, you will also learn how to make this delicious soup at home with a simple yet coveted recipe!
It was a typical autumn evening in Brooklyn, New York. My client and I had just finished a long day of meetings. We were looking forward to a relaxing dinner at a Middle Eastern restaurant in the neighborhood. As we entered the restaurant, we were greeted by the warm aroma of spices and the friendly smiles of the staff.
We were seated at a cozy table by the window, and a young Middle Eastern guy came over to take our order. We started with some hummus and pita bread. Then I ordered the Middle Eastern lemony lentil soup that caught my eye on the menu.
While enjoying our meal, we noticed some commotion in the kitchen. A staff member had fainted, and the other staff rushed to help. Despite the chaos, our waiter remained calm and attended to us.
After a few minutes, the restaurant manager apologized for the disturbance and offered us tea. As we sipped on the fragrant tea, I couldn’t help but wonder about the Middle Eastern lemony lentil soup I had just eaten. It was delicious and comforting, and I wanted to know its secret.
So, I mustered the courage to ask our waiter for the recipe. At first, he seemed hesitant and told me they were unwilling to share the recipe with an outsider. But I was persistent, and I told him how much I loved the Middle Eastern lemony lentil soup and would love to try making it at home.
After much convincing, he finally agreed to give me the recipe. He scribbled it down on a piece of paper and handed it to me with a smile. I was overjoyed and thanked him profusely.
As we finished our meal, I couldn’t wait to try making the Middle Eastern lemony lentil soup at home. The next day, I went to the grocery store to buy all the needed ingredients. I followed the recipe carefully. To my surprise, the soup turned out just as delicious as it did in the restaurant.
The taste of the Middle Eastern lemony lentil soup lingered in my mouth. I pondered how food could bridge gaps and unite people. The soup nourished my body, warmed my heart, and introduced me to a new culture and people I might never have met otherwise.
That night in the Middle Eastern restaurant in Brooklyn will always hold a special place in my heart. It reminded us of the beauty of human connection and food’s power to unite us. While the lemony lentil soup recipe was undoubtedly delicious, the experience of sharing a meal with my client and connecting with the staff made it truly unforgettable.
Here is how I make the Middle Eastern lemony lentil soup at home.
Ingredients:
- Vegetable mix: white onion, carrots, and garlic
- Stock: veggie or chicken (optional)
- Red lentils: quick-cooking and blend easily
- Corn: frozen or canned whole-kernel
- Spices: curry powder, ground cumin, cayenne, and saffron
- Fresh lemon: zest and juice, plus extra wedges for serving
- Salt and black pepper for seasoning
How to make Middle Eastern lemony lentil soup?
- Heat a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, garlic, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and slightly browned.
- Put in a big pot (or Crock-Pot or Instant Pot) the vegetable broth, lentils, corn, curry powder, cumin, saffron, and cayenne (if desired). Add the sautéed onion mixture to the pot and stir until well combined.
- Put a lid on the pot and simmer the soup until the lentils are soft. If using a stovetop pot, boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes. If using a slow cooker, cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. If using an Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before quickly releasing any remaining pressure.
- Once the soup has finished cooking, you can use a hand blender to blend it until it is the consistency you want. Alternatively, you can transfer the soup to a traditional blender and mix until your desired texture.
- Add the lemon zest and juice to the soup and stir. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the soup warm, garnished with an extra lemon slice. Enjoy!
Making variations to a recipe is a great way to experiment and personalize it according to your taste preferences. Here are some possible ways to customize the Middle Eastern lemony lentil soup recipe:
- Keep it chunky: if you prefer a soup with a chunky texture, skip the pureeing step after the lentils are cooked. The soup will have a hearty and rustic feel, and you can enjoy the different textures of lentils, corn, and vegetables.
- Make it spicier: if you like spicy food, you can adjust the heat level of the soup by adding more cayenne pepper. Start with a small amount and taste the soup before adding more. You can also use other spices, such as chili powder or paprika, to add depth of flavor and heat.
- Add fresh herbs: adding fresh herbs such as mint or cilantro can bring a fresh and zesty note to the soup. Chop the herbs and sprinkle them on the soup before serving. You can also add them to the soup during the cooking process for a stronger herb flavor.
- Garnish with yogurt: Adding a dollop of plain yogurt to the soup can give it a creamy and tangy touch. It can also balance out the heat if you make the soup spicier. Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt can also be used as a dairy-free alternative.
- Add greens: To increase the soup’s nutritional value, you can add some greens, such as spinach or kale, into the soup just before serving. The soup’s heat will wilt the greens slightly, making them tender and flavorful. You can add vegetables such as zucchini or bell peppers for a more colorful and diverse soup.
It was a pleasure to share my heartwarming experience with you and the recipe for Middle Eastern lemony lentil soup, which I hope you will enjoy making at home. Remember, food is more than just sustenance; it has the power to connect people from different cultures and bring them together. I encourage you to explore cuisines and share meals with people from different backgrounds. Thank you for following my journey, and I wish you all happy cooking and meaningful connections!
By the way, Arabic kuboos bread pairs with this soup perfectly!
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