Zhudra: Middle Eastern Lentil Rice Soup
Delicious, filling rice and lentil soup with mahogany onions that is utter simplicity in execution, very budget-friendly, and the perfect reason to perfect homemade french fries, an oddly perfect accompaniment.
Course Mains, Soup
Cuisine Middle Eastern
- 1 lb. dried lentils rinsed and drained
- 1 cup long-grained white rice I generally use Uncle Ben's
- 4 large yellow onions chopped
- 2 tbsp neutral oil I use Canola
- 1+ tbsp salt
- 1+ tbsp black pepper freshly ground
- 8-12 cups water
Put the oil into a large saute pan (NOT non-stick), add the onions, and set the heat to medium-high. Once the onions start to caramelize, about 20 minutes in, reduce the heat to medium for the rest of the cooking time which will take about an hour to an hour-and-a-half depending on your stove, pot, etc. The goal is blackened onions.When done, set aside. Rinse and sort the lentils to pick out any foreign bits, stones, grit. Put them into a soup pot with the rice and water. Drier zhudra (pictured at top of post) used 8 cups. Use up to 12 for soupier. If you aren't sure, start with 8 cups and add more at the end if you want to thin it. Add 1 tablespoon of Kosher salt to the soup pot. Cover and bring just to a boil.Reduce heat to low for 20 minutes until the rice is done and the lentils are tender. Turn off the heat but leave on the stove covered. Add the blackened onions to the lentils and beans. Stir. Add 1 tbs of freshly ground black pepper (adjust to your liking; this dish likes the pepper).Taste for salt and add as necessary (or not). Serve! Most appreciated with french fries.
This soup is best served day-of.
Leftovers do get thicker but adding water will thin it out and won't dilute the flavor (within reason).
Soup freezes okay but as with leftovers will need water to thin and will be much softer than day-of. I like leftovers so that doesn't bother me. Keyword bean soup, beans, caramelized onions, family recipe, french fries, hearty soup, legumes, lentil soup, lentils, onion soup, rice, soup