Twist on Tradition: Vegan Gluten-Free Turkish Red Lentil Soup
Turkish Red Lentil Soup, also known as Mercimek Çorbasi, is biblical. this classic soup is on nearly every menu in Turkey, and it is so simple, nutritious and delicious. This is one of my favorites here and another quick and easy weeknight meal. Certainly, the Turks would scoff at soup being offered as a meal, and not to mention, gluten-free! (It is generally a starter to the typical feast).
I first fell in love with this soup in 2008, when my Turkish mother-in-law made it for me early on when my husband I first started dating. (It's funny, this soup is also called bride soup is fed to new brides right before their wedding.) I loved it so much I asked her for the recipe, and show me how to make it.
Fast forward a year later (and dozens of bowls of lentil soup)...I found out I was gluten intolerant, and in 2012, I began to follow a plant based diet. I knew I had to recreate this dish--especially since my hungry husband loves this soup. It even taste just as delicious chilled a la gazpacho.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Turkish Red Lentil Soup
Serves 4-6
Turkish, Soup, Gluten-Free
What You'll Need
1 1/2 Cup of Red Lentils, cleaned and rinsed
2 tomatoes, diced
2 zucchini, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 squeezed lemon
4 cups water
Pul Biber (garnish)
2 tsp dried mint
2 tsp crushed red peppers
What You'll Need To Know
In a large pot heat the olive oil over a high/medium heat. Toss in the onions sauté the onions until they are translucent. Then add in the garlic and tomatoes to incorporate.
Next, add in 1/2 cup of water and bring to a boil. Add in the zucchini, carrots and another 1/2 cup of water and bring to a boil.
Add a 1/2 cup of water, the lentils, salt, pepper, and bring to a boil. After it starts to boil again add in another 1/2 cup of water and bring to a boil for a final time.
After it boils turn down the heat to a medium heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes (or until the lentils are tender).
Blend for a few minutes with an immersion blender until smooth. Salt to taste. Serve with a sliver of lemon to squeeze on top.
Garnish it with crushed mint and Pul Biber and lemon if you so desire. Enjoy!
This recipe was originally published on my travel blog, Ramblist.com. Follow @valeriefidan and tag your food photos with #letsregal! Photos taken with iPhone; edited in Camera+ and instagrammed.