Red Lentil and Bulgur Soup

Adapted from https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/222665/red-lentil-and-bulgur-soup/

Servings: Original recipe yields 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
2 teaspoons za'atar
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (Optional)
1 cup carrot juice
4 cups water
1 cube chicken bouillon
1 cube tomato-flavored bouillon
1 cup red lentils
¼ cup bulgur
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro (Optional)
6 tablespoons sour cream (Optional)

STEPS

1) Heat olive oil in a stockpot over low heat; cook and stir onion in the hot oil until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

2) Cook and stir tomatoes, za'atar, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper into onion mixture; stir to coat. Add carrot juice, water, chicken bouillon cube, tomato-flavored bouillon cube, lentils, and bulgur; cook over low heat until lentils are tender and bulgur has absorbed liquid, 30 to 40 minutes.

3) Ladle about 2/3 the lentil mixture into a blender and puree until smooth. Return puree to stockpot and stir. Simmer over low heat for about 5 more minutes to blend flavors. Remove from heat; stir lemon juice and cilantro into soup. Top individual servings with a dollop of sour cream.


NOTES

Za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend usually consisting of a combination of sesame seeds, dried sumac, thyme, salt, oregano, and marjoram.