(This savory soup combines pomegranate juice with rice, lentils, herbs, and raisins for a hearty meal. It is an interesting combination of sweet and savory flavors and is full of protein from the lentils.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup lentils, picked over
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups (2 quarts) water
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1 cup pomegranate juice or 1/4 cup grenadine syrup
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh mint or 2 teaspoons crushed dried leaf mint
- 2 Tablespoons raisins
Preparation:
Rinse lentils several times. Set aside to drain.
Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add sweet onions and toss to coat. Gently saute onions until soft, about 3 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and saute 2 additional minutes.
Add water, drained lentils, rice, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer on low about 45 minutes, until lentils and rice are tender.
Add basil, green onions, and pomegranate juice to the soup. Simmer an additional 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a small skillet, add mint and saute until butter turns golden.
Divide soup into serving bowls. Drizzle each with the mint brown butter and sprinkle with a few raisins to serve.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add sweet onions and toss to coat. Gently saute onions until soft, about 3 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and saute 2 additional minutes.
Add water, drained lentils, rice, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer on low about 45 minutes, until lentils and rice are tender.
Add basil, green onions, and pomegranate juice to the soup. Simmer an additional 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a small skillet, add mint and saute until butter turns golden.
Divide soup into serving bowls. Drizzle each with the mint brown butter and sprinkle with a few raisins to serve.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
