# Turkish red lentil soup — ingredients and method

The most-cooked soup in Turkish kitchens: few ingredients, one pot, half an hour. Copy the ingredients to your room, tick off what you already have, and keep the steps open on your phone while you cook.

*Serves 4 · 30 min*

**In short:** Turkish red lentil soup for 4 takes 1½ cups of red lentils, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 potato, 1 tablespoon each of flour and tomato paste, and 6 cups of water; it's ready in about 30 minutes. Sauté the vegetables, simmer them with the lentils for 20–25 minutes and blend until smooth. Finish with paprika sizzled in butter and a squeeze of lemon.

## Ingredients

- Red lentils — 1½ cups
- Onion — 1 large
- Carrot — 1
- Potato — 1 small
- Flour — 1 tbsp
- Tomato paste — 1 tbsp
- Butter — 2 tbsp
- Vegetable oil — 2 tbsp
- Water — 6 cups
- Salt — 1 tsp
- Black pepper — ½ tsp
- Paprika — 1 tsp
- Lemon — to serve

## Method

1. Rinse the lentils well and drain. Dice the onion, carrot and potato small.
2. Heat the oil in a pot; soften the onion until translucent, add the flour and stir for 1 minute.
3. Stir in the tomato paste; once fragrant, add the carrot, potato and lentils, then pour in the water.
4. Season with salt and pepper; bring to the boil, then simmer 20–25 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
5. Blend until smooth with a stick blender; loosen with hot water if too thick.
6. Melt the butter in a small pan, add the paprika and swirl for 10 seconds; drizzle over each bowl and serve with lemon wedges.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why does lentil soup foam?

Lentils contain plant compounds, mainly saponins, that foam as they boil. Rinse the lentils well, keep the pot uncovered and skim the foam off with a spoon to stop it boiling over.

### Do red lentils need soaking?

No. Red lentils are small and split, so you just rinse and cook them directly; they break down completely in 20–25 minutes.

### How long does lentil soup keep, and can I freeze it?

In the fridge it keeps 2–3 days, and cooled portions freeze for up to 2–3 months. It thickens as it sits, so loosen it with a splash of hot water when reheating.

### Can I change the list?

Of course. The ready-made list is just a starting point: delete, add, move items between categories.

### Do I need an account?

No. A room code is all it takes — no email, password or signup.

### How long is the list kept?

As long as you use it. A list is only deleted after a month without any activity; even opening the room resets the clock.

### Can I install it on my phone?

Yes. With the room open, tap "Save Room" to add it to your home screen and open it with one tap.

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