Lentil soup

{{Infobox food

| name = Lentil soup

| image = EgFoodLentilSoup.jpg

| image_size = 240px

| caption = Egyptian lentil soup

| alternate_name = shurbat al-adas, mercimek, tlokheh, shorbay neesik, Linsensuppe

| country =

| creator =

| course = Starter

| type = Soup

| served =

| main_ingredient = Lentils (green, brown, red, yellow or black)

| variations =

| calories =

| cookbook = Lentil soup

}}

Lentil soup is a soup with lentils as its main ingredient; brown, red, yellow, green or black lentils, with or without the husk, may be used. Dehulled yellow and red lentils disintegrate in cooking, making a thick soup. Lentil soup is a staple food throughout Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

History and literature

Lentils were unearthed in the Paleolithic and Mesolithic layers of Franchthi Cave in Greece (13,000 to 9,500 years ago), in the end-Mesolithic at Mureybet and Tell Abu Hureyra in Syria, and at sites dating to 8000 BC in the area of Jericho. Aristophanes (5th – 4th centuries BC) called it the "sweetest of delicacies".{{cite web|url=http://www.cliffordawright.com/caw/food/entries/display.php/id/61/|title=Did You Know: Food History - A Short History of Lentils|website=www.cliffordawright.com|access-date=10 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055202/http://www.cliffordawright.com/caw/food/entries/display.php/id/61/|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} Remains of lentils were found in royal tombs in the Theban Necropolis in Egypt, dating to 2400 BC.{{Cite news |last=O'Hara |first=Julie |date=2009-01-07 |title=Lentils: A Legume For The Ages |language=en |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99054419 |access-date=2022-03-29}} The Roman cookbook Apicius, compiled in the 1st century AD, includes a recipe for lentil soup with chestnuts.{{Cite news |last=Hodgson |first=Moira |date=1997-11-30 |title=FOOD; Hail the Humble Lentil: To Enrich Soup or Meat and Fish |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/30/nyregion/food-hail-the-humble-lentil-to-enrich-soup-or-meat-and-fish.html |access-date=2022-03-29 |issn=0362-4331}}

Lentil soup is mentioned in the Bible: in Genesis 25:30-34, Esau is prepared to give up his birthright for a pot of fragrant red lentil soup being cooked by his brother, Jacob. In Jewish tradition, lentil soup has been served at times of mourning; the roundness of the lentil represents a complete cycle of life.{{cite web|url=https://jewishjournal.com/culture/religion/torah_portion/67299/|title=Lentil Soup|work=Jewish Journal|author=Rabbi N. Daniel Korobkin|date=November 26, 2008 |access-date=10 December 2018}}

Varieties

File:3 types of lentil.jpg

Lentil soup may include vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, celery, parsley, tomato, pumpkin, ripe plantain and onion. Common flavorings are garlic, bay leaf, cumin, olive oil, cardamom and vinegar. It is sometimes garnished with croutons or chopped herbs or butter, olive oil, cream or yogurt. Indian lentil soup contains a variety of aromatic spices. In Iraqi and Levantine cuisine the soup is seasoned with turmeric and cumin and topped with toasted, thin vermicelli noodles called sha'iriyya (شعيرية), and served with a lemon for squeezing. In the Middle East, the addition of lemon juice gives a pungent tang and cuts the heaviness of the dish.{{cite web|url=https://www.vegparadise.com/highestperch22.html|title=Vegetarians in Paradise/Lentil History, Lentil Nutrition, Lentil Recipe|website=www.vegparadise.com|access-date=10 December 2018}} In Egypt and throughout the Middle East, the soup is commonly puréed before serving, and is traditionally consumed in the winter.{{cite web|title=Cook in the Moment: Egyptian Red Lentil Soup|url=http://ladomestique.com/2012/02/23/cook-in-the-moment-egyptian-red-lentil-soup/|access-date=7 December 2013|archive-date=4 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304142142/http://ladomestique.com/2012/02/23/cook-in-the-moment-egyptian-red-lentil-soup/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Salem|first=Dahlia|title=Egyptian Lentil Soup|url=http://allrecipes.com/recipe/egyptian-lentil-soup/|access-date=7 December 2013}}

{{Gallery

|title=Lentil soups

|width=160 | height=170

|align=center

|footer=

|File:Ezogelin soup, bread, and water.jpg

|alt1=Turkish ezogelin soup made with bulgur and red lentils.

|Turkish ezogelin soup is made with bulgur and red lentils.

|File:Bowl of lentil soup with green and red lentils.jpg

|alt2=Bowl of lentil soup with green and red lentils.

|Bowl of lentil soup with green and red lentils.

|File:Linseneintopf mit Blutwurst 2.JPG

|alt3=A German lentil soup with blood sausage.

|A German lentil soup with blood sausage.

}}

Nutrition

Lentil soup is recognized as highly nutritious, a good source of protein, dietary fiber, iron and potassium.[http://www.hungrymonster.com/FoodFacts/Food_Facts.cfm?Phrase_vch=Beans&fid=5598 Beans Food Facts, History, Information, Timelines] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126072435/http://www.hungrymonster.com/FoodFacts/Food_Facts.cfm?Phrase_vch=Beans&fid=5598 |date=2011-01-26 }}