LSL United

[Scheherazade]

Just occured to me that the humanity can be divided into two:

Those who love lentil soup and those who do not.

Which group do you belong to? Please take the poll!

If you a lentil soup lover, then declare your allegiance to the Lentil Soup Lovers United here.

[1n50mn14]

I am afraid I am in the indifferent group.
But it's GREAT with vegetable crackers.

[Idril]

My youngest got his teeth very late, I think his first tooth came in shortly after his 1st birthday, so I made lentils for him all the time for a substitute protein because he, as you would imagine, had a hard time with meat. He loved it and we all enjoyed it as well but now he won't touch them so I never make them anymore...it makes me sad. :(

[JBI]

I put like, but this is Middle Eastern Lentil Soup not some other kind. I don't conceptualize lentil soup as something else.

[Maryd.]

Yay, to Lentil Soup... Sher.

[SleepyWitch]

lentil soup is a traditional dish in the region where my mother is from. I love it, but unfortunately, I've lost the recipe, which she has given me several times.
what kind of lentil soup do you mean, Sher? the one from my mother's region is more like a broth. it's basically only lentils, some laurel leaves, cloves, vinegar, onions, little bits of carrot, and bacon or sausages for non-veggies.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/109/297433271_c9d5f8ad68.jpg

[papayahed]

I had it once and didn't care for it, haven't tried it since. Lentil soup isn't too popular around these parts.

[Madhuri]

I think it's called dal here.....hmmmm....if there is no choice then I can't help, but I am not too fond of having dal.

[kitkat203]

I spent years making lentil soup day in day out for the cafe I worked in. I would come home smelling like I was in fact made of soup. You would probably think I hate the stuff but I love it and still make it a lot during the cold winters. YUM!

[Koa]

I think it's called dal here.....hmmmm....if there is no choice then I can't help, but I am not too fond of having dal.

I had dal but the image in my mind of "lentil soup" is different.

The picture there doesn't look like soup to me, it looks similar to what we have at Xmas and New Year, lentils with some kind of sausage. It's supposed to bring good luck with money :D

[Scheherazade]

what kind of lentil soup do you mean, Sher? The red lentil kind:

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/5165/lentilsoup.jpg

Most people leave the lentils whole but I cannot stand lumpy food so put it throught the blender.

There is a dish very similar to the one you posed (without the sausages) made with green lentils as well and that tastes great too.
I love it and still make it a lot during the cold winters. YUM!In winter, lentil soup is a must! :)

Welcome to the Forum, Kitkat! :)

[NikolaiI]

I think it's called dal here.....hmmmm....if there is no choice then I can't help, but I am not too fond of having dal.

Dal is definitely a little different than lentil soup... Lentil soup tastes more... lentilly.

[Basil]

If you a lentil soup lover, then declare your allegiance to the Lentil Soup Lovers United here.
Sounds rather extreme. Do you administer loyalty oaths?

[MarkBastable]

Just occured to me that the humanity can be divided into two:

Those who love lentil soup and those who do not.

Which group do you belong to? Please take the poll!


The way the votes are stacking up it would appear that the two lentil-soup-related groups that humanity is divided into are: those who love lentil soup and those who don't care either way. Which may not be what you expected, but is somehow even more satisfying. I suspect that that split is probably the one that applies to almost all issues: a noticeable number of strongly partisan people, and everyone else pretty indifferent if they think about it at all.

I find that quite cheering.

[Scheherazade]

Sounds rather extreme. Do you administer loyalty oaths?Of course! As soon as I finish working on the flag...


I find that quite cheering.Goodie!

Have a bowl of lentil soup... on the house!

[SleepyWitch]

I haven't tried the red lentil one. where can I get it? Is it Middle Eastern?

[billl]

Just by looking at it, I figure it would be OK if it had a lot of spices. Do lentils have some sort of flavor or something that spices couldn't overcome?

[Niamh]

I love lentil soup!

[Maryd.]

I make lentils an old fashioned way with pasta... Spaghetti actually. The spaghetti is broken into; pinky finger, size. Then added to the cooked lentils. When it is finished you have a lentil and spaghetti soup. Yummo!

[Koa]

I am not a fan of lentils anyway. I have a bit of them at New Years sometimes for the good luck purposes I mentioned before, but that's it.

[Scheherazade]

I haven't tried the red lentil one. where can I get it? Is it Middle Eastern?I am not sure; might be. I never get it from outside but make it at home as it is pretty straightforward.
Just by looking at it, I figure it would be OK if it had a lot of spices. Do lentils have some sort of flavor or something that spices couldn't overcome?Lentils have delicious flavour! :D At times I add a little chicken stock to make it more nutritious as well.

I love it with crushed chillies and I know people who like it with a little lemon juice (also tastes grand).
I make lentils an old fashioned way with pasta... Spaghetti actually. The spaghetti is broken into; pinky finger, size. Then added to the cooked lentils. When it is finished you have a lentil and spaghetti soup. Yummo!Green or red lentils? Never tried it with pasta but I have a recipe that asks for a little rice with green lentils.

[Maryd.]

...Green or red lentils? Never tried it with pasta but I have a recipe that asks for a little rice with green lentils.

Green. You should try it.:banana:

[MarkBastable]

Must be difficult to keep the pasta al dente.




I love it with crushed chillies and I know people who like it with a little lemon juice (also taste grand).

Cumin and freshly-ground black pepper.

[Scheherazade]

Cumin and freshly-ground black pepper.I add those before serving (recipe calls for them); crushed chillies at the table (optional).

[Maryd.]

Must be difficult to keep the pasta al dente.

Not if you eat it straight away. :nod: I do admit, you have to finish it, as leftovers do become a little sloppy. :)

[Heathcliff]

Not if you eat it straight away. :nod: I do admit, you have to finish it, as leftovers do become a little sloppy. :)

I always get the leftovers after eating what I'm given, then half of eveyone elses.


I love lentils.

[MarkBastable]

I add those before serving (recipe calls for them); crushed chillies at the table (optional).


My feeling is that anyone who takes the option of eschewing the crushed chillies should consequently be denied simple human rights such as voting, access to television, freedom of movement and the pursuit of happiness.

[Scheherazade]

My feeling is that anyone who takes the option of eschewing the crushed chillies should consequently be denied simple human rights such as voting, access to television, freedom of movement and the pursuit of happiness.Well, I can see this is one issue you don't feel "indifferent" about...

:p

[Paulclem]

Green and brown lentils are great in lasagna.

Do you remember when South Africa still had Apartheid? You couldn't eat their lentils then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwXMt60tfXM

[billl]

I might have to try them sometime. Microwavable?

[Haunted]

I might have to try them sometime. Microwavable?

If you don't cook (like me), you can get it in a can. Progresso is my favorite.

[billl]

Thanks, Haunted.

[Scheherazade]

Why don't you give cooking a try? It is very simple.

:)

[Maryd.]

Yes, Haunt, you can soak the lentils overnight and when it's time to cook them, they will only need to boil for 20 mins.:banana::banana:

[Haunted]

Does this involve turning on the stove? :confused:

[Maryd.]

Yes sweetie... Deary me...

[Haunted]

Billl and I can handle the microwave just fine, but stove? I have to read the user manual.

[Maryd.]

You crack me up chickie...:lol::lol::lol:

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=684&pictureid=6109

Ok guys, here it is. My famous mixed lentil soup, made with pasta... Usually I make it with the green lentils only. But I tried it with the mixed lentils and it was a big hit in my home. Hmmmm.

[Haunted]

^ that's special lentil soup for the soul!

[Maryd.]

^ that's special lentil soup for the soul!

I know and I probably should have waited for a cooler day to cook it.:smash:

[Scheherazade]

As the winter is upon us again, I think it is time to take out our lentil soup pots out again.

I am making lentil soup tomorrow (from scratch).

[billl]

I had the Progresso version in a can a few months ago (a year ago?). It's just the lentils and tiny bits of celery. I was proud that I was able to eat it, but it seemed boring next to some other soups out there. Pretty sure I added Tabasco. I think I'd like to have the lentils mixed in with other beans and so on.

[Vonny]

I want to say "I love lentil soup" because it is one of my favorite things when I feel like food. The only canned one I like is Amy's, but it needs to be homemade with a lot of vegetables. Thankfully, this is one thing our hospital cafeteria does well.

[qimissung]

I love lentil soup. We didn't eat it when I was a child. I tried it once when I got out on my own, but I didn't like it.

I ate some last winter, and it was delicious. I adore it now, and will eat it regularly this winter. I like Progresso brand myself.

[TurquoiseSunset]

I love lentil soup. I have never made it myself though...next winter I will give it a go, as it's spring now.


As the winter is upon us again, I think it is time to take out our lentil soup pots out again.

I am making lentil soup tomorrow (from scratch).

Will you share the recipe or is it a family secret? :drool5:

[Scheherazade]

Will you share the recipe or is it a family secret? :drool5:I got the recipe from my mother so it is family recipe, I guess, I don't mind sharing :)

You need:

- Onion (1), carrot (1) and potato (1) - medium sized.

- A generous table spoon of tomato puree

- A generous table spoon of plain flour

- Oil

- 200 g of red lentils

- 50 g of rice

- 3-4 chicken cubes (optional)

- Cumin and black pepper


Boil lentil and rice in a small pot (drain once they are cooked). Meanwhile, in a large pot, fry the chopped onion and cubed potato and carrot in a little oil, add the tomato puree to be followed by the flour. Mix well and add about 2 lt of boiling water on top. Add the lentil and rice into the water and let it cook over medium fire until the potatoes are cooked. Add the chicken cubes and spices.

Using a hand blender, get rid of all the lumps (add salt if you are not using chicken cubes). Add more hot water depending on the consistency you like and bring it to boil again.

Serve with crushed chillies and a quarter of lemon (optional) and fresh buns (especially whole meal).

~

Hope it is clear. If not, please ask. :)

[TurquoiseSunset]

I got the recipe from my mother so it is family recipe, I guess, I don't mind sharing :)

You need:

- Onion (1), carrot (1) and potato (1) - medium sized.

- A generous table spoon of tomato puree

- A generous table spoon of plain flour

- Oil

- 200 g of red lentils

- 50 g of rice

- 3-4 chicken cubes (optional)

- Cumin and black pepper


Boil lentil and rice in a small pot (drain once they are cooked). Meanwhile, in a large pot, fry the chopped onion and cubed potato and carrot in a little oil, add the tomato puree to be followed by the flour. Mix well and add about 2 lt of boiling water on top. Add the lentil and rice into the water and let it cook over medium fire until the potatoes are cooked. Add the chicken cubes and spices.

Using a hand blender, get rid of all the lumps (add salt if you are not using chicken cubes). Add more hot water depending on the consistency you like and bring it to boil again.

Serve with crushed chillies and a quarter of lemon (optional) and fresh buns (especially whole meal).

~

Hope it is clear. If not, please ask. :)

Great, thanks!!

How many people does it serve?

[Scheherazade]

Great, thanks!!

How many people does it serve?Six.




__________________

[Michael T]

I love lentil soup, but it is always from a tin-can unless I'm eating out.

I will definitely be making use of your recipie in the coming days Scher - so thank you for sharing. :thumbs_up

[Scheherazade]

I love lentil soup, but it is always from a tin-can unless I'm eating out.

I will definitely be making use of your recipie in the coming days Scher - so thank you for sharing. :thumbs_upHope you like it, Michael :)

At times, I have ready made soups (never the tinned ones, though - prefer the packs) but I always make the lentil soup from scratch and this recipe does not take more than 90 minutes all together to prepare.

My mom will be delighted to hear about this! :D

[TurquoiseSunset]

I just found this on Daily Mail...

Spicy lentil soup with curry pinwheel rolls (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-2053832/Recipe-day-Spicy-lentil-soup-curry-pinwheel-rolls.html)

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/10/26/article-0-0E5ADD5F00000578-985_468x455.jpg

Scher, I think if I ever feel like the spicy version I would just add the 2tbs of curry paste to your version instead...

[Scheherazade]

Never thought adding curry paste but I bet it'd taste good!

I can never make bread :(

[TurquoiseSunset]

Never thought adding curry paste but I bet it'd taste good!

I can never make bread :(

No, no, no! I bet you that you can make wonderful bread, you just have a bit of a mental block about it :D

Maybe it's the oven? Get an oventhermometer and check if the temp is what it is supposed to be. Some ovens are 'faster'/hotter than what they are supposed to be and can cause doughiness.

[qimissung]

That looks like a fairly doable and tasty recipe, Scher. What kind of rice and chili do you use?

[Scheherazade]

No, no, no! I bet you that you can make wonderful bread, you just have a bit of a mental block about it :D

Maybe it's the oven? Get an oventhermometer and check if the temp is what it is supposed to be. Some ovens are 'faster'/hotter than what they are supposed to be and can cause doughiness. It is true that, after more failed attempts that I care to remember or admit, I do have a mental block about it (not to mention the blocks imposed by others :p); however, it is for a good reason.

Your guess is correct; it turns out to be doughty wheneverI try to make bread even though I follow the recipes religiously.
That looks like a fairly doable and tasty recipe, Scher. What kind of rice and chili do you use?I use basmati usually at home. As for chilis, I usually use crushed chilis (my mother makes them herself at home):

http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1898/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1898-15444.jpg

[symphony]

Ah about time!
While there are differences between the subcontinental "dal" and lentil soup, there are many kinds of "dal" and some of them work just fine as soup as well (as long as you remember to tone down the spices when it's a dish itself instead of being in the side or as an accompaniment). I've tried the following recipe either way and seen (tasted) success:
http://www.nooschi.com/2009/06/red-lentil-dal.html
I strongly recommend all you lentil-lovers give it a try. If you don't have all those spices at home, do not fret. I always improvise-- well I treat my kitchen as a chemistry lab and never follow strict recipes (this is why I can't bake!).

Enjoy! :cheers2: