{"id":"mercimek_corbas_1e7ee67886","slug":"mercimek-corbas-turkish-red-lentil-soup","title":"Mercimek Çorbası (Turkish Red Lentil Soup)","description":"A silky, protein-packed Mediterranean classic. This Turkish Red Lentil Soup is seasoned with cumin and served with a bright squeeze of lemon and a signature Aleppo pepper butter drizzle.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"200g red lentils","name":"Red Lentils","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"dried","notes":"rinsed","group":"Soup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 large yellow onion, chopped","name":"Yellow Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"yellow","group":"Soup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 medium carrot, diced","name":"Carrot","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"diced","notes":"medium","group":"Soup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 small potato, peeled and diced","name":"Potato","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"diced","notes":"small","group":"Soup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 garlic cloves, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":2,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Soup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1.5 liters vegetable broth or water","name":"Vegetable Broth","quantity":1.5,"unit":"l","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"quart","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Soup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tbsp tomato paste","name":"Tomato Paste","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"paste","notes":"","group":"Soup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 tsp ground cumin","name":"Cumin","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Soup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"30g butter","name":"Butter","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"","notes":"for sautéing and topping","group":"Fats","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 tsp Aleppo pepper (Pul Biber)","name":"Aleppo Pepper","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"flakes","notes":"","group":"Topping","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 lemon, cut into wedges","name":"Lemon","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"wedges","notes":"for serving","group":"Serving","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large pot, melt half the butter (15g) over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrot, and diced potato. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the onions are translucent.","group":"Preparation","title":"In a large pot, melt half the butter","timerMinutes":7,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, and ground cumin. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.","group":"Preparation","title":"Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, and ground cumin","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the rinsed red lentils and pour in the vegetable broth (or water). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils and vegetables are completely soft.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the rinsed red lentils","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Using an immersion blender, blend the soup directly in the pot until it reaches your desired smoothness. If the soup is too thick, add a splash of hot water.","group":"Finishing","title":"Blend the soup directly","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"In a small skillet, melt the remaining butter. Once it starts to foam, stir in the Aleppo pepper. Let it sizzle for 30 seconds until the butter turns a deep red color.","group":"Finishing","title":"In a small skillet, melt the remaining butter","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Ladle the soup into bowls. Drizzle the warm chili butter over the top and serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges to be squeezed over the soup.","group":"Finishing","title":"Ladle the soup into bowls","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"For the best flavor, use red lentils (kırmızı mercimek) as they break down into a naturally creamy consistency without needing heavy cream. Always serve with a fresh lemon wedge on the side.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["soup"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer","saute"],"equipment":["large pot","immersion blender","small skillet","cutting board","knife"],"diet":["vegetarian","high_protein","gluten_free","mediterranean"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"bowl","note":"Approximately 1.8 liters total"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The soup tastes even better the next day. It will thicken as it sits, so add a bit of water when reheating."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Add a tablespoon of water if it's too thick."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fmercimek_corbas_1e7ee67886%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=110e3d0f-d643-4714-aaba-37c7d45d30dc","imageAlt":"Mercimek Çorbası (Turkish Red Lentil Soup) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["lentils","soup","healthy","turkish","creamy","high protein"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Mercimek Çorbası (Turkish Red Lentil Soup)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T02:24:43.552Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T02:24:43.552Z","related":[{"id":"tarhana_corbas_81bc64623a","slug":"tarhana-soup-tarhana-corbas","title":"Tarhana Soup (Tarhana Çorbası)","description":"A traditional, nutrient-dense Turkish soup made from fermented and dried tarhana powder, simmered with garlic, tomato paste, and aromatic dried mint.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","high_protein","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ftarhana_corbas_81bc64623a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b0ff29b3-56e3-4901-a7f1-2e1ed2d57f6c","imageAlt":"Tarhana Soup (Tarhana Çorbası) — recipe cover","tags":["soup","turkish","fermented","probiotic","mediterranean","healthy","comfort food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":7},{"id":"recipe_164c4cf980","slug":"trahanas-soup-trachanosoupa","title":"Trahanas Soup (Trachanósoupa)","description":"A comforting, traditional Greek soup made with trahanas, a unique fermented grain product. This soup is creamy, tangy, and perfect for cold nights.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_164c4cf980%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=2d6ac418-9d46-43af-8c90-1902513a5d57","imageAlt":"Trahanas Soup (Trachanósoupa) — recipe cover","tags":["soup","greek","comfort food","trahanas","mediterranean","traditional"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_41d1f7440b","slug":"avgolemono-greek-lemon-egg-soup","title":"Avgolemono (Greek Lemon-Egg Soup)","description":"A silky, creamy, and bright Mediterranean classic. This comforting soup uses a traditional egg-lemon emulsion to create a rich texture without any dairy, perfectly balancing savory chicken broth with zesty citrus.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["mediterranean","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_41d1f7440b%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5b867420-205a-43c6-a3bf-713b9092bc20","imageAlt":"Avgolemono (Greek Lemon-Egg Soup) — recipe cover","tags":["greek","lemon","soup","creamy","healthy","comfort food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6}]}