Mercimek Çorbası: Turkey's Comforting Red Lentil Soup

Walk into restaurants across Turkey and there's a good chance you'll find mercimek çorbası on the menu.

This warming red lentil soup is remarkably simple, inexpensive and satisfying. Its smooth texture and gentle combination of lentils and spices make it particularly comforting during colder months.

Ingredients

• 200g red lentils
• 1 large onion
• 1 carrot
• 1 medium potato
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 litre vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper
• Fresh lemon

Optional chilli butter

• 1 tbsp butter
• ½ tsp pul biber or chilli flakes

How to Make Mercimek Çorbası

1. Wash the lentils thoroughly.
2. Gently cook the chopped onion in olive oil or butter until softened. Add the carrot, potato and tomato paste and cook for another couple of minutes.
3. Add the lentils and stock. Simmer for approximately 25–30 minutes, until everything is completely tender.
4. Blend until beautifully smooth and season with cumin, paprika, salt and pepper.
5. For an extra Turkish touch, melt butter with pul biber and drizzle a small amount over each bowl.

The Essential Finishing Touch

Don't forget the lemon — a squeeze of fresh lemon just before eating cuts through the richness and transforms the flavour. Serve with warm bread for a simple Turkish-style lunch.