RED LENTIL SOUP WITH CELERY

This is a great soup for those health conscious and watching their figure. it is also ,warming and low GI which keeps you fuller for  longer. I made it so that  it is easy to make with store cupboard ingredients but add any herb or extra vegetables you like to suit your taste. This soup is quite tasty without added oil if you are watching your calories.

BASIC SOUP INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup red lentils
• 2 stalks of celery, diced finely
• 1 small or half a large onion, chopped finely
• 1-2  tsp olive oil ( optional )
• pinch of cumin powder
• pinch of dried herb of your chose
• 6-8 cups of water
• salt and pepper to taste.

ADDITIONAL, MY FAVOURITE INGREDIENTS

• 1 clove of garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp tomato or pepper paste
• fresh parsley leaves, chopped.

METHOD

1) Wash the lentils, place into a deep sauce pan. Add chopped celery, onion, olive oil, cumin powder  and 3 cups of  water.

2) Bring the lentils to boil and place a lid tilted. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 20-30 minutes

3) Add 3-4 more cups of water , dried herbs and simmer for further 10-15 minutes until it is cooked.

4) Add  salt and pepper just before serving.

NOT: If you like to add the garlic and the ginger, add them to the soup at step 1, with the lentils and celery.

Add the tomato puree at step 3 and fresh parsley just before serving.

MEASUREMENTS

1 CUP lentils  = 150 gr = 5 oz

3 CUPS  water = 500 ml = 1 pint.

EZO GELIN SOUP (EZO GELIN CORBASI)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 small onion, chopped finely
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp flour
• 3 cups stock or water
• 5 tbsp red lentils
• 1 tbsp rice
• 2 tsp tomato puree
• salt and pepper
• dried mint to serve

1) Cook the onion in a dip pan with the oil until it is lightly browned and soft. Add the flour and mix. Add the water or stock slowly making sure we don't have any  lumps and mix well with flour and onion. Bring it to boil.

2) Wash the lentils and rice together and add into the pan. Mix the tomato puree with little water and pour it into the boiling pan. Turn the heat to medium and cook for 25- 30 minutes or until the soup is cooked.

3) Turn the heat off and add salt and black pepper to taste. Serve it with sprinkled dried mint. Serves 4.

MERCIMEKLI VE NOHUTLU PILAV ( PILAV WITH LENTILS AND CHICK PEAS )

HI ALL,  this again a very tasty complete vegetarian meal which is very quick to make. Hope you enjoy...

YOU NEED

• 1 onion, chopped,
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp pepper or tomato paste( puree)
• 1 clove of garlic ( optional )
• 1 tsp chili pepper (optional )
• 1 cup red lentils
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped peppers
• 1/2 a cup bulgur wheat or rice
• 1 cup cooked chick peas
• 3- 4 cups hot water.
• fresh or dried herbs of your choose
• salt and black pepper

METHOD

First prepare all the vegetables and chop them finely. Wash the lentils,  rice, chick peas and set aside. Fry the onion in the oil for 5 minutes, then add the garlic, tomato paste, tomatoes and peppers. Cook for couple of minutes. Add the lentils, rice and chick peas together with herbs, water, salt and chili pepper. Use 3 cups of water first then add the rest of the water as it cooks. Add more or less to suit your taste. I like to serve this dish  with the constancy like risotto or even more mushier but you can cook and serve it more like a rice dish if you like by using  less water.

Add more herbs and ground black pepper just before serving.