Esau's Soup, a Potage of Lentils

Nov 19, 2011
Maria Blanco

Esau's Red Lentil Soup Recipe - stu_spivack

In this traditional Middle Eastern soup known as Esau's soup, red lentils and vegetables are cooked and pureed. Flavors are brightened by lemon and garlic.

From the Old Testament, in Genesis (25:29-34) we learn that Esau sold his birthright to his twin brother Jacob, in exchange for a bowl of lentil soup. While Esau was famished when he had begged Jacob for some of, “that same red pottage,” he had made, I always felt that it must also have been an incredibly delicious stew to command such a high price – and it is!

This version of Esau’s soup, a pottage of red lentils, is delectable in the extreme. It is a filling and healthy vegetarian soup; full of fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals and homemade freshness.

Esau’s soup calls for a surprising amount of lemon and garlic – two flavors that marry beautifully to define and brighten this dish. If you are a fan of lemon and garlic, you will fall in love with this quick and easy-to-prepare heartwarming stew.

Esau's Soup Recipe - A Potage of Red Lentils with Lemon and Garlic

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 celery ribs with leaves, chopped
3 medium carrots, sliced
8 garlic cloves, minced and divided (about 8 teaspoons)
1 medium potato, peeled and diced
1¼ cups red lentils, or yellow split peas
4 cups low-sodium vegetable stock
2 bay leaves
2 lemons, rolled and cut in half crosswise
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1½ teaspoons Tabasco Brand Pepper Sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices to garnish

Instructions:

Heat oil in a medium-sized stock pot, and sauté the onions for about 5 minutes or until they begin to soften.
Toss in the carrots, celery, potato and half of the garlic. Cook these a few minutes more, until you notice that the potato and carrot is beginning to soften as well.
Add the lentils and broth to the pot and bring up to a boil.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot and simmer for about 30 minutes.
Add the bay leaves and two of the lemon halves. Continue simmering for 10 minutes more.
Carefully remove the bay leaves.
Squeeze the juice of the remaining lemon halves into the pot. Add the cumin and Tabasco Sauce and stir.
Using a submersible stick blender, puree the soup to your desired consistency.
Taste for salt and pepper and adjust seasonings as necessary.
Serve hot in warm soup bowls garnished with parsley and a lemon slice if desired.

Esau's Soup Variation

Esau's Soup can also be served chilled and is refreshing on hot days if more lemon juice is added. Serve with a fresh cucumber and yogurt salad. Other lentil recipes worth experiencing are a lovely warm lentil salad, a zippy Italian herbed soup, and Tarka Dahl.

Poor Esau might never have sold his birthright if he had only known how quickly this simple and delicious recipe comes together. But thanks to him and Jacob, we can all enjoy the flavor and health benefits of Esau’s Soup.