Turkish Lentil Recipe (Mercimek)

Photo: sevgi

Ingredients

1 cup Dry Green Lentils

1/2 pound Ground Beef

1 small Onion, Diced

1 teaspoon Butter

2 teaspoons Tomato Paste

1 1/2 cups Water

Salt and Pepper to taste

Crusty Bread for dipping (Optional)

Preparation

Soak the dry green lentils for at least 30 minutes. Drain.

In a dutch oven, add 1 T. butter.

Once the butter melts, add the diced onions. Cook until translucent.

Add the ground beef, cook until browned.

Add 2 T. of tomato paste, mix with the ground beef mixture.

Season with Salt and Pepper.

Add the green lentils.

Add the water; please note that the consistency should be like a stew rather than a soup. Monitor the water level during cooking. If you notice that it is turning out to be like a paste, then add more water.

Cook until lentils are soft, about 35-40 minutes.

To serve: Eat as a stew with crusty bread, or put the lentils on top of Turkish rice with fideos.

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About

I just love this Turkish lentil recipe. It is such a hearty and heart-warming dish, especially during the winter nights. I got this recipe from my mom.

It is such a simple dish to make. One would never think it is that easy, since it tastes like you have been stewing it all afternoon!