Ezogelin Çorbası (Turkish Red Lentil, Bulgur and Mint Soup)
In short: A thick soup of red lentils, bulgur and rice in a tomato and pepper paste base, finished with lemon, dried mint and sizzling pepper oil. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 250 kcal
Ezogelin is a soup for cold days. Red lentils, a little bulgur and rice cook until soft in a base of tomato and pepper paste, then dried mint and chili oil go on top. It is thicker and more filling than plain lentil soup, with a gentle heat and a rusty-red color. Turkish homes serve it as a starter or, with bread and a salad, as a light supper.
Instructions
- Heat the 3 tbsp oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion for 6 minutes, until soft and translucent.
- Stir in the tomato paste and pepper paste and cook for 2 minutes, until darker and fragrant.
- Add the lentils, bulgur and rice and stir for 1 minute to coat them in the paste.
- Pour in the hot water and add the salt, 1 tsp mint and the black pepper. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then lower the heat.
- Simmer partly covered for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring now and then, until the lentils, rice and bulgur are very soft and the soup is thick.
- Pulse once or twice with a stick blender for a partly smooth texture, or leave it as it is. Stir in the lemon juice and adjust the salt.
- For the topping, warm the 2 tbsp oil with the mint and pepper flakes for 20 seconds. Spoon over each bowl and serve hot.
Tips
- Ezogelin thickens quickly as it sits. Add a ladle of hot water when reheating so it flows instead of clumping.
- For more heat, use hot pepper paste or add a pinch of cayenne to the topping oil.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between ezogelin and mercimek soup?
Ezogelin has bulgur and rice as well as lentils, so it is thicker and heartier, and it is flavored with pepper paste and dried mint. Mercimek soup is smooth, simple and carrot-orange.
Is ezogelin soup vegan?
Yes, as written. Restaurants often finish it with melted butter, but olive oil or sunflower oil works just as well.
Can I freeze ezogelin soup?
Yes, for up to 3 months. It thickens in the freezer, so loosen it with hot water as you reheat it.
How long does it take to make Ezogelin Çorbası (Turkish Red Lentil, Bulgur and Mint Soup)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ezogelin Çorbası (Turkish Red Lentil, Bulgur and Mint Soup)?
About 250 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 28 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 250 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 28 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
