Lemony Lentil Soup

Lentil soup is what's for lunch today. I make this soup often. It's rustic and easy to prepare. The nutritional profile is wonderful. Best of all, the lentils remain whole and keep their firm texture. This is a brothy lentil soup. A smoked-paprika scented stock is infused with the earthy flavor of the lentils. The soup is finished with lemon and dill. Fresh dill is one of my favorite herbs. The bright and citrusy flavor of dill counters the richness of the lentils. Spinach is stirred in at the end of cooking to remain vibrant and green. Lots of freshly cracked black pepper is welcome here too.  

Lebanese Lentil Soup With Toasted Orzo

This easy, creamy lentil soup is always on my menu. It's economical. It reheats well. It's good. My favorite Lebanese spices like cozy cinnamon and a dash of allspice show up here. As the soup simmers, warm aromas take me waaaay back to my beloved grandmother's kitchen. I often serve the soup with pita bread, rice or toasted orzo. Diced scallions, herbs and lots of fresh lemon juice make it sing. It's a light but nourishing soup that's welcome in both warm and cold weather. It's healthy too.

Lebanese Rice & Lentils

After making this dish for several years, I've created a basic recipe without sacrificing flavor. There's a more complicated recipe on this blog too. But I rarely prepare it now because I'm busy with cross-stitch pattern making. Ain't nobody got time for that. I need simple, tasty and reheatable recipes these days.    

A whisper of cozy cinnamon, plenty of black pepper and a hit of fresh lemon juice are essential to any proper rice and lentil dish. I like more lentils than rice. If I'm in the mood, I add cumin. Cumin is lovely with lentils. But it's a strong spice, so I have to be up for it. Lentils, lemon and black pepper were made for each other.

Rice & Lentils

Rice and Lentils is Middle Eastern comfort food. A wonderful vegan or Lenten supper can be enjoyed by making this dish and pairing it with my Persian Chopped Salad. You can also serve it with yogurt and mint sauce, spice-infused tomato sauce (recipe below) or just a couple of chopped fresh tomatoes. I love it with the spiced tomato sauce on top. It reheats well. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Warm it up in the microwave or serve at room temperature.  This recipe makes a large batch, so you will have leftovers. It packs up great for work week lunches too.

Thai Red Lentil Soup with Coconut Milk

Coming home to a bowl of lentil soup is cozy. Here, the humble red lentil is elevated to new heights. Made with coconut milk, the soup has a creamy texture and a healthy dose of omega 3′s. The flavors of ginger and chili work beautifully with the mellow lentils, perking them up. Thai basil and lime are fresh finishing touches.

Being Middle Eastern, I’ve eaten my share of lentil soups. This time, I ventured out of the box, wanting something a little different...something smooth and luxurious with a more lively flavor.