LENTIL SOUP (Mercimek Çorba)

Lentil soup is yet another goodness coming out of only a few ingredients yet healing a lot. Keep you warm on a winter night, soothes an uneasy stomach, fulfilling, and a good source of iron. If you are a vegetarian/vegan, you probably love lentils but if you're not, there are other reasons to consume this little coins. Lentils are mentioned a lot in Old Testament and eating lentils on Christmas Eve symbolizes the wish to earn more money next year, all according to wikipedia. 12 days to go, start making your soup; more soup, more money!

Ingredients:

• 200 g red lentils
• 1 small onion
• 40 mL olive oil
• Salcha (or tomato paste), half tablespoon
• Red pepper flakes (or paprika), 1 teaspoon
• Salt, 1 teaspoon

Preparation:

• Wash the lentils.
• Fry the finely diced onion in oil for 2-3 minutes.
• Add salcha and pepper, mix.
• Add lentils and 1 liter water and cook on a low heat for 1 hour by mixing at intervals.