Mediterranean kitchen lentil soup

 
                     MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN LENTIL SOUP
 
 Recipe By     : 
 Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:00
 Categories    : Soups
 
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
 --------  ------------  --------------------------------
    5       c            Lentils
    3       qt           Water
    1 1/2   lg           Onions, coarsely chopped
      1/2   c            Vegetable oil, divided
      1/2   c            Olive oil
    1                    Green bell pepper, seeded,
                         -membranes removed, coarsely
                         -chopped
    1       t            Salt or to taste
      1/4   ts           Coarsely ground black pepper
    1       t            Ground allspice
    1       t            Cumin
      3/4   ts           Ground cinnamon
    6                    Cloves garlic, peeled and
                         -coarsely chopped
    1       c            Chopped fresh cilantro
      1/2   c            Lemon juice
 
   1.   Bring lentils and water to a boil.  Reduce heat
   and simmer, covered, while preparing the vegetables.
   
   2.   Meanwhile, in small frying pan cook onions in 1/4
   cup vegetable oil and the olive oil over medium heat.
   
   3.   When onions start to brown, about 10 minutes, add
   green pepper and cook together for about 2 minutes.
   
   4.   Add onion-pepper combination and oil in which
   they were cooked to lentils.  cook lentils about 40
   minutes.  Season with salt; pepper, allspice, cumin
   and cinnamon.  continue to cook, covered, stirring
   frequently, about 20 minutes.
   
   5.   Blend garlic with 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a
   blender or with mortar and pestle until pureed and
   well blended.
   
   6.   When lentils are tender, add cilantro.  Turn off
   heat.  Then add garlic-oil puree.  Stir well.
   
   7.   After a minute, add lemon juice.  Taste and
   correct seasonings if necessary.  Serve immediately.
  
 
 
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