RED LENTIL SOUP WITH CUMIN AND CORIANDER(kirmizi mercimek corbasi)

INGREDIENTS

• 100 g red split lentils
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 potato
• 1 carrot
• 750-800 ml chicken stock or water
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• pinch of chilli pepper
• Some salt to taste
• Juice of half a lemon
• handful of fresh coriander

METHOD

Wash the lentils in cold water and drain it for couple of times. Heat the soup pan add the oil and the onion and stir fry it for 2-3 minutes. Wash and dice the potato into small pieces, add to the pan. Add the grated carrot together with the water, cumin powder, chilli pepper and salt. Bring the soup to boil. Turn the heat to low and place the lid on tilted. Simmer the soup for 25-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender and mushy. Remove from the heat, add the lemon juice and sprinkle with chopped coriander just before serving. Serves 4.

SUMMER RICE & YOGURT SOUP (Yayla Corbasi )

INGREDIENTS

• 100 g rice
• Half a tsp salt
• 750 ml water or stock
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 1 egg, whisked
• 6 tbsp natural yogurt
• 2 tsp dried mint or handful of fresh mint, chopped
• 200 ml water
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 2 tsp paprika or chilli powder

METHOD

Wash the rice, add salt and water or stock. Bring it to boil then simmer with the lid on for about 25-30 minutes until the rice is soft and cooked. Set aside.
Whisk the egg in a bowl, add flour, yogurt, mint, water and seasoning. Add this yogurt and egg mixture into the cooked rice. Return the pan of soup to the stove and cook the soup on low heat stirring frequently to prevent it sticking to the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 10 minutes. You may add more water if the soup is too thick. While the soup simmering, heat a small frying pan with 1 tbsp oil or butter, add the paprika and drizzle over the soup just before serving. Serves 4.

TOMATO SOUP ( Domates corbasi )

YOU NEED

• 1 kg tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 100 leeks, chopped
• 100 peppers, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 small chilli ( optional )
• Handful of parsley and dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste.

METHOD

First wash the tomatoes and chop them roughly. Fry the leeks in the oil until they go brown, then add the tomatoes together with the rest of the ingredients and bring the soup to boil. Turn the heat to medium and simmer for 20- 30 minutes until it is cooked. Let it cool. Now pour the soup into a liquidiser and blend until smooth. Sprinkle with parsley, season with salt and pepper just before serving.

Serve with crusty bread or pitta bread. Serves 4-6

NOTE

You can sieve the soup before liquidising it, if you don't like tomato skins.

This soup can be served hot and cold.

The ingredients are easily halved to serve 2.