Bosnian Red Lentil Soup (Supa od Crvenog Sočiva)
A hearty and nourishing red lentil soup, seasoned with aromatic spices and vegetables, offering a comforting and healthy meal perfect for any season.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Red lentils(rinsed)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 2 medium Carrots(diced)
- 1 medium Celery stalk(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned diced, or 2-3 fresh ripe tomatoes, chopped)
- 8 cups Vegetable broth(hot)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(or to taste)
- 0.25 cup Fresh parsley(chopped, for garnish)
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice(fresh)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and chopped celery. Sauté until softened, about 7-10 minutes.
- 2
Add the minced garlic, cumin, and turmeric. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the rinsed red lentils and the diced tomatoes. Pour in the hot vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
- 4
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are very tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 5
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- 6
Stir in the fresh lemon juice. For a creamier texture, you can blend about half of the soup using an immersion blender, then return it to the pot.
💡 Tip: Blending is optional; the soup is delicious as is. - 7
Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley. A squeeze of extra lemon juice can be added at the table.
💡 Tip: Serve with crusty bread for dipping.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓If the soup becomes too thick, add a little more hot broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
- ✓For a richer flavor, a bay leaf can be added during the simmering process and removed before serving.
- ✓You can add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a touch of heat.
🔄 Variations
- Add a handful of spinach in the last few minutes of cooking.
- For a heartier soup, add diced potatoes or sweet potatoes along with the carrots.
- A dollop of plain yogurt or a swirl of coconut milk can be added to each serving.