Shorbat Adas (Jordanian Red Lentil Soup with Cumin and Lemon)
Local name: شوربة عدس
In short: Smooth golden red lentil soup with onion, carrot and potato, warmed with cumin and finished with lemon, a favorite on Ramadan tables. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 295 kcal
Shorbat adas is the soup that opens many a Ramadan iftar in Jordan, and it is just as popular on cold winter evenings. Red lentils cook down with onion, carrot, potato and garlic until they turn into a thick golden puree, seasoned with cumin and turmeric. A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens it. It costs very little and is ready in under an hour, which is why so many families make it often.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion and carrots for 6 to 8 minutes, until soft and lightly golden, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the cumin and turmeric and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the lentils, potato, water and salt. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then reduce the heat and simmer partly covered for 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until the lentils have fallen apart and the vegetables are very tender.
- Blend the soup until smooth with an immersion blender, or in batches in a regular blender, filling it only halfway and holding the lid down with a towel.
- Return the soup to low heat and thin it with hot water if it is too thick. Add the pepper and lemon juice and taste for salt.
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot with lemon wedges and parsley.
Tips
- Rinse red lentils well and skim the foam as it forms. This keeps the soup clean-tasting and a bright golden color.
- For a more rustic soup, blend only half and leave the rest chunky. The soup thickens as it stands, so thin it with hot water when reheating.
Questions and answers
Can I use other lentils?
Brown or green lentils work, but they need 40 to 45 minutes and give a more rustic texture. Red lentils cook fastest and blend into the smoothest soup.
What is served with shorbat adas during Ramadan?
It is often served early in the iftar meal, alongside dates, bread and a salad such as fattoush.
Can I freeze the soup?
Yes. Cool it, freeze it in portions for up to 3 months and thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheat with a splash of water and add fresh lemon juice.
How long does it take to make Shorbat Adas (Jordanian Red Lentil Soup with Cumin and Lemon)?
About 55 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Shorbat Adas (Jordanian Red Lentil Soup with Cumin and Lemon)?
About 295 kcal per serving, with 14 g of protein, 42 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 295 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbohydrates | 42 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 9 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
