Thursday, February 03, 2011

Turkish Lentil Soup

Wanting a quick to cook, warm meal during the great snow yesterday, I found half a bag of lentils in the cupboard. The recipe is from Recipes for Self-Healing by Daverick Leggett. Leggett's book is more than a cookbook. He discusses food energetics from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, discussing how food affects the organs and meridians, the yin and yang of foods, the climates (hot, cold, dampness and wind) and more.

I dont really know what all this means. It is most complex. Years to learn. My brain is too little. But I love perusing the ideas and using the recipes.

2 0nions
3 TBS olive oil Chop onions finely and fry in oil until soft and sweet smelling

2 or 3 medium potatoes
1/2 pound red lentils (I used green)
2 pints water
1 bayleaf

wash and chop potatoes quite small. Add lentils to onions, stir, then add potatoes. Stir. Add water and bayleaf. Bring to the boil. Simmer for 1/2 hour or until soft.

1-2 tsp fresh mint ( I used dry mint from a tea bag)
2 lemons
salt

Add chopped mint halfway through the cooking. Add lemon and salt at the end. When cooked remove bayleaf and mash or blend the soup a little.

Below each recipe Leggett discusses the recipe energetics. He says: "This is a simple Qi strengthening soup. It is easy to digest and provides sustained release of energy. Lentils strengthen the spleen and stomach as well as benefiting both heart and kidney. The also have a mild action against dampness. The lemon and mint make this a slightly cool dish."

13 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I have never put lemon, potatoes or mint in my lentil soup. It sounds like a nice variation. Stay warm and healthy.

studio lolo said...

I love the pretty dish it's in too, Suki.

This is the first time in my life I've had lentils. Boy, am I making up for it! I made up a delicious soup with lentils, pinto beans, spinach, carrots and chicken. vegetarians can omit the chicken, but these days I need extra protein.
I started out sauteeing garlic in olive oil and replaced water with chicken broth or vegeatable stock..either works. Brian begs me to make this all the time now.

I think lentils are one of the healthiest things to eat. The book sounds interesting!

I take it the weather changed your plans again? It was awful here.

Stay warm, eat up!

xo♥

marianne said...

Oh this sounds like a heavenly soup!
I will copy and paste this recipe on my pc so as soon as I find fresh mint (I have a lot of it in my garden, but not now, too cold)I will make this!
Right now I am doing a fast (day 3).....so no soup for me.

Bon Apetit♥

Unknown said...

That looks so good! The lemon and the mint must give it a springtime undertone .... Greek food is like that too

Robin said...

O YUM! This looks and must taste delicious! I am glad you prepared something warm and healthy!

I guessed you postponed your plans yesterday..... wise choice, my friend.

Will check in later.....

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

Think I might have to try this. Sound nice and warm and yummy. Hope you're not going crazy in all that snow.

Tess Kincaid said...

Oh, my, that looks yummy! Love-love the vintage dish.

layers said...

I am a big fan of Qi-- very healthy as well as the soup.

Lynn Cohen said...

Sounds delicious. I love the lemon, also vinagar is good in lentil soup. Haven't made it in ages. Good for damp is good for snow country eating then, yes?
Enjoy.

loved your comment about my family being yours vicariously. Enjoy that too. You are more than welcome at our table anytime Suki.

Mim said...

Sounds like the perfect soup for that snowy day. I have t done lentil soup in a long time but youve give me a yen for it!

Lynne with an e said...

I love lentil soup and always use the green ones. I like the idea of putting some mint in it. Will try that next time.

I hope you didn't get too much snow. But at this point in the winter...it's already too much so what's the diff, right? I can't tell the storm days from the regular snow days any more.

Louise said...

I am making your soup today Suki, on a cool and rainy day in northern New South Wales, Australia, and it smells lovely

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

Oh...from now on I will add mint and lemon...sounds delightful!