Hearty Lentil Soup (Mercimek Çorbası)
Mercimek Çorbası, or Hearty Lentil Soup, is a traditional Crimean Tatar dish that is both nutritious and comforting. This simple yet flavorful soup is a staple in Crimean Tatar cuisine and is perfect for warming up on a cold day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, carrots, and potatoes. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the rinsed lentils, cumin, and paprika. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the soup to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils and vegetables are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the Mercimek Çorbası hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Cooking & Preparation
- Preparation time:
- 10 minutes
- Cooking time:
- 30 minutes
- Total time:
- 40 minutes
- Cooking method
- Stovetop
Nutritional facts per 1 serving
- Calories
- 200 per serving
- Carbohydrates
- 35g
- Protein
- 12g
- Fat
- 1g
Supplies
Large pot Stirring spoon Knife Cutting board
Tools
Potato peeler
Serving suggestions
Serve the Mercimek Çorbası with a slice of crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Tips & tricks
For extra flavor, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice or a dollop of yogurt to each serving of the soup.
Cost
$5