Cozy Red Lentil Soup
At a glance
A heartwarming and cozy red lentil soup made with aromatic spices, vegetables, and vermicelli, garnished with lemon juice, cilantro, and za'atar.
Ingredients
- 3-4 pieces garlic
- 1 onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 stalks celery
- 2 large russet potatoes
- 1 cup red lentils
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- generous pinch of saffron
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 2 tsp turmeric
- 2 tsp salt
- 2L water (or unsalted veggie stock)
- 1/2 cup small vermicelli
- lemon juice to serve
- cilantro to serve
- za'atar to serve
Method
- 1
Finely chop the garlic and dice the onion.
- 2
Finely dice the carrot and celery.
- 3
Chop the russet potatoes into bite sized cubes.
- 4
Rinse and drain the red lentils and set aside.
- 5
Heat up a stock pot to medium heat.
- 6
Add the cumin and fennel seeds followed by the olive oil and fry for about 10-15 seconds.
- 7
Add the onions and garlic, then sauté for 4-5 minutes.
- 8
Add the carrots and celery, then sauté for another 4-5 minutes.
- 9
Place a generous pinch of saffron into a cup, then pour in 1/4 cup of hot water and allow the saffron to soak for a few minutes.
- 10
Add the chili flakes, sweet paprika, turmeric, and salt to the pot and stir well.
- 11
Add the potatoes, red lentils, and saffron along with the soaking water to the pot and stir.
- 12
Add 2L of water to the pot, stir, and bring to a boil.
- 13
Once boiling, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 14
Add the small vermicelli and stir well.
- 15
Allow the vermicelli to cook for about 1 minute, then turn off the heat.
- 16
Plate the soup and garnish with fresh lemon juice, cilantro, and a sprinkle of za'atar.
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Original video
Source video from Yeung Man Cooking. The recipe card keeps the ingredients and steps handy while you cook.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kLaRWku_oM
Source details
Full credit remains with the original creator.
