Let’s Make Shorba! (Soup)
Tomato Lentil Soup
Prepare everything ahead. This is called “Mise en Place,” which means that all is fresh and ready, with no delays. You don’t need to add all the items in this list, just choose from your favorites. Think about the cooking time of everything you add and try to time those that take longer from the beginning of your project. You can’t make a mistake with soup. These wonderful ingredients will taste better as they simmer. Check your seasoning, like salt, pepper, spices about half-way through to be sure you approve. Your choices make this your very own soup!
Start with any of the following:
Mary's Chicken Tomato Soup
Broth - Chicken or Vegetable, Tomatoes, Tomato Paste and/or Water
Protein: chicken, meat – ground or cubed
Garlic, Shallots, Onion – green, white or yellow
Fiber: Cruciferous vegetables – celery, broccoli, cauliflower, fennel, turnips, shredded cabbage
Grains: Rice, Noodles, Bulgar Wheat, Barley, Quinoa, Orzo
Vegetables – carrots, peas, zucchini, potatoes/sweet or white, green beans, peppers, mushrooms, squash, pumpkin
Spices: coriander, cumin, thyme, mint, parsley, fennel, salt, Aleppo Pepper, Bay Leaf, Turmeric
Fresh Herbs – parsley, mint, basil, thyme, oregano, cilantro, chives, dill, celery leaves
Legumes - lentils, beans
Greens: Spinach, Kale, Turnip or Collard Greens, Swiss Chard
Lentil Noodle Soup
Begin by heating the liquids you are using. If using Lentils, pre-cook in the broth. Remember to add more liquid before continuing with the soup.
Wheat, Barley, Quinoa may be cooked in the broth, if using. Be sure to use extra liquid if doing so.
Prepare the meat, if using. Add spices to ground meat and sautee in cooking spray or oil. Season cubed meat or chicken and pan fry before adding to the soup. Set aside and add after vegetables.
Prepare vegetables into bite size. Then add to broth, cruciferous veggies and potatoes first due to a longer cooking time.
Meatball Soup
Onions and garlic should be added early to the broth. Garlic can be whole and later removed. Onions may be chopped or diced.
Add spices and prepared fresh herbs to the broth.
Precook rice or noodles before adding to the soup, if using.
Add drained canned beans, if using, towards the end.
Add cut-up greens like fresh spinach at the end. If using. Kale, Chard, remove the center stem. Then slice the leaves.