Turkish Red Lentil Soup

We had our first supper club Sunday afternoon and it was totally killer. Select guests showed up in full Turkish garb, babies of all sizes attended, and Turkish blood cocktails (equal parts chilled red wine and champagne) were poured. Solid Sunday.

I was in charge of the side and brought this Turkish red lentil soup. I made it Saturday afternoon after a beautiful, overcast, beach walk. This soup is topped with fresh lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and cilantro in traditional Turkish fashion. We picked our next theme out of a hat at the end of the night – Caribbean! Nick is already threatening to bring conch fritters.

TURKISH RED LENTIL SOUP

2 cups red lentils, rinsed
8 cups stock, I used a mix of vegetable and mushroom
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 white potato, diced
1 roasted red pepper, diced
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt

lemon, sliced into wedges
big handful cilantro, chopped
red pepper flakes

1. Place the red lentils in a colandar and rinse.

2. Place the washed lentils into a medium pot with the stock, potatoes, onion, paprika, and cumin.

3. Bring the pot to a boil and reduce to a simmer then loosely place a lid on the pot leaving slightly ajar as to allow some evaporation. Cook for 40 minutes until the lentils are tender.

4. Add salt, pepper, and roasted red pepper to soup then carefully ladle the soup into a blender or food processor and blend.

5. Return blended soup to the pot to heat through.

6. Serve with fresh lemon wedges, cilantro, and red pepper flakes.

Ps. If you refrigerate leftovers the soup thickens up so reheat slowly and add a splash of water if needed.