Lentil Soup (Shorbat Adas)

Shorbat adas is the Lebanese version of chicken soup — the bowl that appears when someone is tired, sick, or simply needs warming up. Red lentils, onion, and cumin simmer into a thick, golden soup that takes almost no effort and costs almost nothing. It is also a Ramadan favorite, served at the table when the fast breaks, and a bowl of it with bread is a meal on its own.

Golden, silky, and gently spiced

Blended until perfectly smooth, the soup has a velvety body that is deeply satisfying, while cumin and a generous squeeze of lemon keep it bright rather than heavy. Some families add a handful of rice or pasta; others swirl in a spoonful of olive oil and crispy onions at the end. For a richer version, stir in a spoonful of ghee or butter just before blending. However you take it, it is pure comfort in a bowl — and it tastes even better the next day.

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Stocking a Middle Eastern pantry? Our guide to 20 essential Middle Eastern pantry ingredients covers everything this dish uses.

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