Mid Eastern Orange Lentil Soup Recipes

ORANGE LENTIL SOUP (SHORABAT ADAS)

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the lentils and stir to coat them in the oil. Add the stock and bring it to a boil. Then reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and cook, removing any foam that rises to the surface, until the lentils are soft, about 45 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and set it aside to cool for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the over to 400°F.
• Brush olive oil over both sides of the bread slices, and cut them into small cubes. Place the cubes in a single layer in a baking dish, and toast in the oven until golden and crisp, about 7 minutes. Set the croutons aside.
• Transfer the lentils, with their liquid, to a blender, in batches if necessary, and puree. Return the soup to the pot. (Alternatively puree the lentils right in the pot with an immersion blender.) Add the cumin, salt, and pepper and give the soup a good stir. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• Ladle the soup into bowls, and sprinkle a few croutons on top of each serving. Serve with the lemon wedges, radishes, and olives alongside.

ORANGE-SCENTED LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Warm the oil or melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over low heat.
• Toss in the onions, celery (including the leaves), and carrot; stir the vegetables until they glisten, then cover the pot and cook, stirring often, until they soften but don't color, about 10 minutes.
• Add in the broth, lentils, citrus peel, peppercorns, coriander, clove, and ginger; increase heat and bring to a boil.
• Decrease heat so that the broth just simmers, put the cover on the pot, and gently simmer until the lentils are so soft you can mash them with the back of a spoon, 60-90 minutes.
• After the soup has simmered for about 45 minutes, season it with salt and pepper.
• Working in batches, puree the soup-spices, celery leaves, orange peel, and all-in a blender or food processor; or use an immersion blender.
• Wipe out the pot and pour the soup back into it, and reheat.
• Ladle the soup into plates or bowls; garnish each with a dollop of yogurt, and sprinkle with bacon, if desired.