Traditional Lentil Soup

Try these delicious, healthy recipes for Iftar and dinner your entire family will enjoy. (Credit: Recipes provided by Manzil Hotel Downtown Dubai)

TRADITIONAL LENTIL SOUP

Lentil-Soup-Manzil29112015Shisha047-Edit

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 2 cubes of vegetable stock
  • 1 table spoon cumin
  • 1 tea spoon turmeric
  • 1/2 lemon, squeezed
  • 1 lemon (cut in wedges)
  • Pinch salt
  • Pinch black pepper
  • 1tea spoon Parsley for garnish

Method

  • Wash and drain lentils.
  • In a large pot over medium heat, combine all ingredients. First sauté the chopped onions with olive oil until they turn a light brown colour to add extra flavour. Add the lentils and stir with the onions for a minute or two
  • Add vegetable stock and 6 cups of water
  • Bring to a boil, then let simmer on medium/low for about 35 minutes, or until lentils are tender and creamy
  • Add cumin, turmeric, salt to taste, and juice of half a lemon
  • Make sure to stir occasionally to avoid the lentils burn or sticking to the pot
  • Blend the whole mixture using an electric blender to make a texture that is creamy
  • Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side

BEET ROOT AND ORANGE SALAD

Beet-and-Orange-Salad

PREP TIME (15 minutes)COOK TIME (1 hour) 

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 beet root medium size
  • 75g rock salt
  • 4 oranges whole
  • 40 ml olive oil
  • 10 ml orange juice
  • ½ tsp cinnamon powder
  • 40 mint leaves
  • Pinch salt
  • Pinch black pepper

Method

  1. Pre heat oven to 200c.
  2. Double layer aluminum foil and cut large enough to fit the beetroot.
  3. Put the rock salt on the aluminum foil and place the beets on top of the salt.
  4. Pull the sides of the foil up around the beets.  Like a bag, should be loose but should be sealed and place in oven
  5. Cook the beets for 50 to 60 minutes.  Use a skewer or knife to check if done.  Skewer should easily move into the beet.  If firm continue cooking.
  6. After roasting the beets let cool for easy handling.  Suggest to wear gloves while handling beets unless you like purple hands.  Peel the beets and cut into strips about 1x1cm.
  7. Remove the skin of the four oranges with a knife leaving no peel or white membrane.
  8. Slice two of the oranges into rounds.  Try to get twenty orange rounds remove seeds if needed
  9. Cut two oranges into segments with no skin or seeds
  10. In a bowl mix together all ingredients except orange rounds
  11. On a plate lay down five orange rounds and place the salad on top.