Greek lentil soup is a household staple
Greek lentil soup or ‘fakes soupa’, as we call it in Greek, is one of those dishes that is pretty much a staple in every Greek household. It’s not something you are likely to see on a restaurant menu though. A cosy home memory for most Greek children, it is one of my favourite comfort foods, if not THE ultimate comfort food. It reminds me of cold days snuggling by the fire, with a bowl of hot Greek lentil soup warming my fingers. I’m back home in Cape Town, it’s still winter, and it’s a bit of a shock to the system! It’s always difficult when you have loved ones far away, and have to leave them behind. So today I’m making this warming dish to cheer me up.
Perfect for vegetarians and vegans
Lentils* are a great substitute for meat, as they are high in protein and fibre. They are full of all sorts of other goodness as well – for example folate, potassium, phosphate and iron. Best of all, is that they are low in fat, whilst at the same time being super filling! This really is the dream dish, as not only is it 100% vegetarian, if you leave off the feta at the end, it is also 100% vegan.
Simple but scrumptious
Even though this Greek lentil soup is very simple to make, it really is delicious, with quite a complex flavour. Every time I make this for someone new, they’re always so stunned at the mouthwatering result. Who could expect such a basic combination of lentils, onions, garlic and tomatoes to taste so great? Of course, there are many variations of this dish. Some people add carrots or celery, and some people add a pinch of oregano. But pretty much all the variations have the art of simplicity in common. The tomatoes can be substituted with good quality tinned tomatoes if needed.
The perfect student food
I used to make Greek lentil soup all the time at university in London, as it was very cheap, easy and nutritious. It also freezes really well too. You can make a big pot, and then freeze portions in little containers. The perfect student food! My flatmate at the time had to put up with a lot of lentil soup for dinner. So, Emma this recipe is for you!
Greek Lentil Soup or 'Fakes Soupa'
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Ingredients
- 250g brown lentils
- 60ml extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4-5 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 medium rosy red tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- Approx. 1.5 litres water
- 2-3 tbsp. red wine vinegar (or to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- Extra olive oil, to serve
- Feta, to serve
- Crusty bread, to serve
- Olives, to serve
Instructions
- Rinse the lentils very well, until the water runs clear, and pick out any stones or discoloured lentils.
- Place the olive oil in a large pot and place on a medium heat. Add the onions and fry for a few minutes, until they start to turn translucent and colour slightly. Add the sliced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes till they soften slightly. Don’t let them colour too much though.
- Add the lentils to the frying onions and fry for 1-2 minutes until they start to look shiny and glassy. Add the chopped tomatoes and and toss through. Fry for 1-2 minutes, and then add the bay leaf and enough water to generously cover the lentils. Bring to the boil, and then reduce to a simmer. Partly cover the soup, then let cook for 30-40 minutes until the lentils are cooked through and soft, and the tomatoes have broken down. Keep topping up with water if needed, and occasionally skim any froth that forms on top of the soup.
- Once the lentils are cooked, add 2-3 tbsp. of red wine vinegar, or enough to give the soup a tangy taste. The soup does need to have a slightly sour note to it, but be careful, as Greek vinegar is quite a lot milder than other vinegars. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Spoon ladles of the soup into serving bowls. Place a chunk of feta in each bowl of hot soup. The feta will become meltingly delicious – soft and squidgy and infused with the lovely flavour of the soup.
- Drizzle with olive oil, and serve with hunks of crusty bread, and a bowl of olives on the side if desired.
Notes
*Lentils are part of the legume family. Like peas and beans, they grow in pods. There are many different varieties of lentils. Lentils are typically sold dried, either whole or split. Some examples are brown lentils, green lentils and red split lentils.
