Throughout Ramadan, we will be sharing popular (and simple) Syrian recipes with you that you, too, can make…Today, we will learn how to make the Syrian Lentil Soup. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour dissolved in 3 tablespoons of cold water
• Lemon wedges (1 to 2 per person) 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander 
• 10 cups of cold water
• 2 ½ teaspoons salt 
• 1-2 teaspoons minced garlic, to taste
• 2 ½ cup dried split red lentils 

Directions: 

Submerge the lentils in a medium-sized bowl filled with cold water. Pick out any small pebbles and skim off any dirt or old shells that float to the surface. Drain.

Put the drained lentils in a 5-quart saucepan or kettle, add the water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, partially cover, and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add the salt and mix well. Continue to simmer until the soup becomes fairly thick, like pea soup, for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the garlic, cumin, and coriander.

Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat and add the garlic mixture. Brown the mixture until the garlic and oil turn into a yellow sauce, about 30 seconds (make sure not to cook the garlic over high heat; it burns easily). Remove from the heat and set aside.

Add the dissolved flour to the soup. Simmer, partially covered, for 10 minutes. Add the garlic mixture. 

Taste the soup for salt. Serve hot accompanied by lemon wedges.