Luscious Lentil Soup
When I lived in the Middle East, my husband and I took a Turkish cooking class and learned how to make this delicious Turkish lentil soup. The original recipe added the lemon at the table to taste and mixed some of the cumin and paprika in this recipe with a little melted butter to swirl on the top of each bowl. It's pretty, so I occasionally I'll do that for guests.
It's one of my most requested recipes as it has a wonderful flavor, is easy to make, and is very healthy. The carrots and the onion don't need much chopping because they are thrown in a blender. Children often like this mild soup especially if presented as a "dip" for their pita chips.
For a good deal on red lentils buy them at an Indian grocery store if you can. I noticed that Trader Joe's and Costco sell split (thinner) red lentils. They won't need the 30 minute soak time, and they taste just as good. Never substitute in gray lentils for the red ones in this recipe. Enjoy!