Name: Heartwarming Turkish Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek Çorbası)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 cups Red lentils, rinsed; 6 cups Water or vegetable broth; 1 medium Onion, chopped; 1 medium Carrot, chopped; 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced; 1 tbsp Tomato paste; 1 tsp Dried mint; 1 tsp Paprika; 0.5 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional); 2 tbsp Olive oil; 1 tsp Salt; 4 pieces Lemon wedges

Heartwarming Turkish Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek Çorbası)

VeganSoupsComfort Food

Ingredients (12)

Ingredient	Qty	Cal	P	C	F
Red lentils, rinsed	1 cups	159	12g	27g	0g
Water or vegetable broth	6 cups	18	0g	5g	0g
Onion, chopped	1 medium	11	0g	3g	0g
Carrot, chopped	1 medium	6	0g	1g	0g
Garlic cloves, minced	2 cloves	2	0g	1g	0g
Tomato paste	1 tbsp	3	0g	1g	0g
Dried mint	1 tsp	0	0g	0g	0g
Paprika	1 tsp	2	0g	0g	0g
Red pepper flakes (optional)	0.5 tsp	1	0g	0g	0g
Olive oil	2 tbsp	62	0g	0g	7g
Salt	1 tsp	0	0g	0g	0g
Lemon wedges	4 pieces	0	0g	0g	0g

Ingredients (12)

Ingredient	Qty	Cal	P	C	F
Red lentils, rinsed	1 cups	159	12g	27g	0g
Water or vegetable broth	6 cups	18	0g	5g	0g
Onion, chopped	1 medium	11	0g	3g	0g
Carrot, chopped	1 medium	6	0g	1g	0g
Garlic cloves, minced	2 cloves	2	0g	1g	0g
Tomato paste	1 tbsp	3	0g	1g	0g
Dried mint	1 tsp	0	0g	0g	0g
Paprika	1 tsp	2	0g	0g	0g
Red pepper flakes (optional)	0.5 tsp	1	0g	0g	0g
Olive oil	2 tbsp	62	0g	0g	7g
Salt	1 tsp	0	0g	0g	0g
Lemon wedges	4 pieces	0	0g	0g	0g

Directions

Step 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and carrot and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
Step 2
Stir in minced garlic, tomato paste, dried mint, paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3
Add rinsed red lentils and water or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until lentils are very tender.
Step 4
Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer to a regular blender and blend in batches.
Step 5
Return soup to the pot, stir in salt, and adjust seasoning as needed. If too thick, add a little more hot water or broth.
Step 6
Serve hot, garnished with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of extra dried mint or red pepper flakes, and a lemon wedge for squeezing.