FAKES - LENTIL SOUP

LENTIL SOUP (FAKES)

     Here's a (long-time promised) recipe of a favorite Greek soup called Fakes which basically is a lentil soup. It is a very easy recipe!

     It is traditionally made with small green-brown lentils and is usually made with tomatoes (tomato sauce) but can be cooked without them if you don't like them.

 

Cook Time: 1 hour or so (it's only about 10-15 min in the pressure cooker)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound of small lentils, rinsed
• 1 pound of ripe tomatoes, pureed or a can of tomato sauce
• 4 1/4 cups of water (more or less depending on your preference- thick soup or not)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup of olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1-2 chopped carrots
• salt
• ground pepper
• red wine vinegar

 

Preparation:
 

In a heavy bottomed pot (or the pressure cooker), add the oil and  saute the onions and garlic (for 1 minute) . Then add the water, tomatoes, bay leaves and carrots. Bring to a boil over medium heat and add the lentils, salt and pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer partially covered for 1 hour or so, or until lentils are done. I remind you that the pressure cooker doesn't usually require more than 10-15 min. Remove from the heat and take out the bay leaves.

Serve in a deep dish and add, if you like, a tablespoon of vinegar to your serving. It adds to the taste. Of course, accompany it with fresh (bakery) bread and feta cheese!

To prepare without tomatoes: Leave out tomatoes, and increase the water to 5 1/2 cups.


                         ΚΑΛΗ ΟΡΕΞΗ!

                                                         KALI OREXI!
                                                                                    BON APPETIT!