0 from 18 votes
Mercimek Çorbasi (Turkish Lentil Soup)
Simple and quick to make Turkish lentil soup is as nutritious as it is delicious.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 234 kcal
Course:
Soup
Cuisine:
Turkish
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 medium onion medium diced
- 1 large potato diced small
- 1 medium carrot medium diced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper or red chilli flakes
- 190 grams red lentils 1 cup, washed in cold water and drained
- 1½ litres hot water 6 cups
- 2 leaves mint optional
- 1½ tablespoons lemon juice juice of half a lemon
- 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
Instructions
- In a medium size saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil, add 1 medium onion and sauté on a medium heat till light brown.
- Add 1 medium carrot, 1 large potato, 1 tablespoon tomato paste and 1 teaspoon cumin powder and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in 190 grams red lentils, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper and 1½ litres hot water and stir well.
- Simmer till carrots and potatoes are soft, for approximately 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and blend the mixture till smooth or to your taste.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons butter and add 1½ tablespoons lemon juice, then garnish with ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and 2 leaves mint. Serve with warm bread or Turkish rice.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Red lentils do not require pre-soaking, just rinse, swish them round with your hand, then drain. Repeat till the water runs clear (see washing rice).
- Make it ahead - This soup tastes even better the next day when all the flavours have had time to come together.
- Storing - Cover and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat or serve it cold, it is great either way!
Nutrition Information
Calories
234kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
30g
(10%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
10mg
(3%)
Sodium
462mg
(19%)
Potassium
643mg
(18%)
Fiber
11g
(44%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
1915IU
(38%)
Vitamin C
11.3mg
(13%)
Calcium
46mg
(5%)
Iron
4.6mg
(26%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 234
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 234kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 30g | 10% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 10mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 462mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 643mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 11g | 44% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1915IU | 38% |
| Vitamin C | 11.3mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 46mg | 5% |
| Iron | 4.6mg | 26% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.