Shurabat ends (lentil soup)

This easy recipe for lentil soup uses short-grain rice and freekeh to help give the soup with body, and safflowers for some extra vibrant orange colour. It can be topped with cream, or torn pieces of mozzarella.

This recipe is taken from Imad’s Syrian Kitchen by Imad Alarnab (HarperCollins Publishers, £26).

First published in 2023
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Ingredients

Metric

Imperial

To serve

  • single cream, or mozzarella, torn into small pieces
  • 1 handful of fresh chives, finely chopped
  • 4 pitta breads, toasted

Method

1

Start by washing the lentils, rice and freekeh together in a large sieve until the water runs clear

2

In a tall, large pot, heat the olive oil over a medium heat, then add the cumin seeds and toast for a minute. Now add the onions and carrots and cook for 5–8 minutes until soft and a little caramelised. Add the garlic and cook for a further 1–2 minutes until softened

3

Add the lentils, rice and freekeh and stir to toast all the grains for 2 minutes before mixing in the ground cumin, 1 tablespoon of the safflower, the black pepper, ground coriander, tomato purée and 2 teaspoons of salt. Once everything is nicely toasted and coated in spices, add the stock or water so it covers everything by at least 6cm

4

Bring to the boil, then turn down and simmer for 1 hour until everything is soft

5

Process to a thick soup in a blender, adding more water if needed, then add the remaining safflower. Taste and season as necessary

6

Ladle into bowls and top with cream or mozzarella and chives, and serve with toasted pitta bread

  • single cream, or mozzarella, torn into small pieces
  • 1 handful of fresh chives, finely chopped
  • 4 pitta breads, toasted
First published in 2023
DISCOVER MORE:

Imad Alarnab was forced to flee Damascus during the Syrian war, leaving behind his restaurants and cafes. He worked his way back up, at first cooking in refugee camps, then starting pop-ups in London, and finally opening his first restaurant in the UK, Imad's Syrian Kitchen. His debut cookbook, Imad's Syrian Kitchen, was released in 2023.

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