Description
Mercimek corbas is a comforting Turkish soup blending hearty lentils with aromatic spices. Warm bowls of this traditional dish connect diners to Turkish culinary heritage and nourish you with simple, wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup red lentils
- 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 medium russet potato, diced
- 2–3 carrots, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons aleppo pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- Kosher salt
Additional Ingredients:
- 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lemon, cut in wedges
Instructions
- Sauté chopped onions, minced garlic, diced carrots, and cubed potatoes in a large pot over medium heat until vegetables soften and become translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate tomato paste, vegetable broth, cumin, and red lentils into the vegetable mixture, stirring thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a rapid boil for 5 minutes, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 15-20 minutes until lentils and vegetables are completely tender.
- Remove the pot from heat and use an immersion blender or standard blender to puree the soup until smooth and creamy, creating a velvety texture.
- Prepare the spiced oil by heating olive oil in a small pan, adding crushed Aleppo pepper and minced garlic, cooking until the oil becomes fragrant and slightly infused, about 2-3 minutes.
- Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, drizzle with the aromatic spiced oil, and garnish with a fresh lemon wedge for a bright, tangy finish.
Notes
- Master the Vegetable Sauté by ensuring you chop ingredients uniformly to promote even cooking and release maximum flavor.
- Select Red Lentils for faster cooking and smoother texture, which dissolve beautifully and create a luxurious consistency without additional blending effort.
- Control Soup Thickness by adjusting broth quantity – add more liquid for thinner soup or reduce for heartier, more concentrated flavor profile.
- Create Dietary Variations by substituting vegetable broth for vegan version or adding extra protein like shredded chicken for non-vegetarian adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg