Turkish Lentil Soup (Mercimek Çorbası)

Turkey’s national soup — a velvety red lentil soup elevated with a smoked butter finish.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups red lentils, rinsed
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 4 cloves garlic
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp turmeric

Salt and pepper

• Finishing: 2 tbsp butter, 1 tsp paprika, pinch of cayenne, dried mint
• Lemon wedges

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion and carrots 6-7 minutes.
2. Add garlic, cumin, paprika, and turmeric. Cook 1 minute.

Add lentils and broth. Bring to a boil.

1. Reduce heat and simmer covered 20-25 min until lentils dissolve completely.
2. Blend completely smooth with an immersion blender.

Season with salt and pepper.

1. Make finishing butter: melt butter in a small pan, add paprika and cayenne until sizzling.
2. Swirl spiced butter over each bowl. Top with dried mint and lemon.

Notes

The swirl of spiced butter at the end is what transforms this from simple lentil soup to something restaurant-worthy. Serve with crusty bread.