658. Shorbat Adas (Middle Eastern Lentil Soup)

A Healthy Ramadan
The holy month of Ramadan is observed by Muslims all over the world.It is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar.Its the month when the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed. During this month the Muslims fast for the whole month from sunrise to sunset. The holy month of Ramadan is much more about purifying the soul, focusing attention on God and about self discipline and sacrifice rather than focusing on food and drink.
After sunset the fast is broken by taking a few sips of water and a few dates during Iftar or the evening meal. Suhoor is the meal served before sunrise. This meal is usually hearty and healthy meal to provide one with energy.
Keeping in mind my intention of preparing healthy recipes (well, at least trying to) I decided not to make a rich fried snack but a healthy, replenishing, hydrating soup. Shorbat Adas is a Middle Eastern soup usually served at the beginning of Iftar. It is light on the stomach, provides the much needed liquid after the long fast and not spicy. This soup is so easy to make and very tasty.
The ingredients used in the soup may vary from country to country but the basic ingredients red lentils, lemon, olive oil and cumin remains the same. Some add vegetables like onions, garlic, tomato, carrot, celery, squash etc and some don’t.
I decided to add some vegetables. You may make it into a thick creamy soup or a little more light. I decided to make it not too thick or thin. I used water but you may use a stock.
Shorbat in Arabic is soup and Adas is lentils. Here’s my contribution for the #FoodieMonday #Bloghop’s #97th theme which is Ramadan.
Just a few more days before Eid. Ramadan Kareem to all my Muslim friends and followers.
Shorbat Adas
4 servings
1 cup red lentils (split variety)
1 medium onion
2-3 cloves of garlic
1 small tomato
1 medium carrot
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp olive oil
1½ tsp salt
¼ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin powder
½ – 1 tsp red chilli powder
3 +2 cups water
1-2 tbsp lemon juice
- Wash the lentils 3-4 times in water. Soak the lentils in 2 cups of warm water for 30mins.
- Peel and grate the carrot.
- Chop the onion and tomato.
- Peel and slice the garlic.
- Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds.
- As soon as the seeds begin to sizzle, add turmeric powder,onion, tomato, garlic and carrot.
- Sauce the vegetables for a minute or so.
- Add the lentils along with the water.
- Add the remaining 3 cups of water.
- Add salt and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Lower the heat and let it simmer till the lentils are cooked and disintegrated.
- Process the mixture using a hand blender or your blender jug.
- Add lemon juice,cumin powder and chilli powder.
- Serve hot soup with bread, pita bread, any flat bread or just on its own.
- Soaking the lentils reduces the cooking time.
- Add flat parsley or coriander if you like.
- This soup can be made without adding carrots or tomatoes.
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36 Comments
Sujata Roy
June 20, 2017 at 3:28 am
Healthy share Mayuri. Soup looks yummy. Will try after returning home.
https://batterupwithsujata.wordpress.com/2017/06/18/dairy-free-sugar-free-beetroot-smoothie/
Patty Saveurs
June 20, 2017 at 8:48 am
Mmmm Such a hearty soup, so tempting with its vibrant colors, love it!
Bebs
June 20, 2017 at 8:49 am
That looks fantastic..gonna try this soon. Thanks for this great recipe!
avs
June 20, 2017 at 9:11 am
Something interesting. I love red lentils, will try this soon. Even I need a health break😃😃
Helen – family-friends-food
June 20, 2017 at 9:41 am
That looks so delicious. Lentil soup is so nourishing, and this simple lightly spiced version looks fabulous.
Elaine
June 20, 2017 at 11:02 pm
This soup looks so delicious! I love the beautiful colors. I can just imagine what it tastes like! Yum.
Kriti Singhal
June 21, 2017 at 10:37 am
Looks delish and healthy too! 🙂
Binkys Culinary Carnival
June 21, 2017 at 4:12 pm
That is such a lovely soup! The list is spices are among my favorite in the entire world!
Jagruti
June 22, 2017 at 9:58 am
I love soups and this one is looking really tempting, lightly spiced soups are always welcome in my home.
Shobha
June 22, 2017 at 10:23 am
I love lentil soups / shorbas
Will surely try it
Traditionally Modern Food
June 22, 2017 at 10:17 pm
Soup looks so comforting. It s drizzling here your soup is calling me
Tea and Catchup
June 23, 2017 at 12:11 pm
This looks delicious. I love the colour of the soup. Perfect for anytime. Mina
alkajena
June 24, 2017 at 6:40 am
The Soup looks super tempting with its vibrant colors
Preethi Prasad
July 1, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Healthy share dee! Love light and healthy soups.
https://preethicuisine.com/2017/06/19/mock-meat-rendang-vegetarian/
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:20 pm
thanks Sujata.. try it, it is so delicious and easy to make.
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:20 pm
Thank you Patty.
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:21 pm
Thanks Bebs, let me know how it turns out.
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:21 pm
thanks, please do try it. It turns out really tasty.
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:22 pm
Thank you Helen.
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:22 pm
Thanks Elaine, try it as its so healthy and easy to make.
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:22 pm
Thanks Kriti
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:23 pm
Thanks, give it a try, you'll love it
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:23 pm
I too love soups and salads. Try it Jagruti am sure you'll like it
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:24 pm
Thanks Shobha, let me know how it turns out.
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:24 pm
Thanks Vidya. Try it am sure you'll like it.
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:25 pm
Thanks Shazia, the colour is from both the lentil and turmeric.
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:25 pm
Thanks Alka.
Mayuri Patel
July 3, 2017 at 8:26 pm
Thank you Preethi.
ARCHANA
April 27, 2020 at 7:14 am
I am bookmarking this soup Mayuri. By the end of this month I will be needing it. Looks awesome and simple to make.
mayurisjikoni
April 27, 2020 at 1:26 pm
Thanks Archana, its a really flavorful soup, try it.
Mireille Roc (@ChefMireille)
April 29, 2020 at 5:25 am
looks so colorful and pretty the way you have decorated the bowl. I can easily dig into this bowl of lentil soup.
mayurisjikoni
May 2, 2020 at 10:56 pm
Thank you so much Mireille.
shobhakeshwani
April 29, 2020 at 5:42 am
Middle Eastern lentil soup looks quite similar to dal.. It will definitely suit our taste buds for sure. Healthy and filling option for those who are fasting.
mayurisjikoni
April 30, 2020 at 3:52 pm
Thank you so much Shobha and its a delicious soup.
Priya Srinivasan
April 30, 2020 at 4:47 pm
Look at that gorgeous color, beautiful soup mayuriji!! We love masoor dal, for its lovely aroma, i bet this soup taste amazingly good!
mayurisjikoni
May 2, 2020 at 4:09 pm
It does Priya, try it. And with fresh spice mixture… awesome.