Israelis - and I count us 'new Israelis' in this group - always make me laugh at their haste in embracing the winter weather.
Just days ago we were sweltering in 35 C heat, but the very instant the rain arrived, everyone pulled out thick coats, wooly scarves and boots and stomped around the blessedly wet city streets looking like abominable snowmen.
The weather forecast is for 'unseasonably cold' weather this week with temperatures dropping as low as (gasp) 20 C in Tel Aviv and I'll bet electric blankets are being unpacked even as I speak.
Warm yourself from the inside in the coming 'wintry' days with this hearty lentil soup.
Chances are we'll be back to tee-shirts and sandals next week so we may as well pretend it's REALLY winter while we can.
WINTER WARMING SPICED LENTIL & LEMON SOUP
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 cups red lentils
8 cups vegetable/parev chicken stock
Finely grated zest of one lemon
2 cups chopped spinach leaves
Salt and pepper
TO SERVE
1 cup plain yogurt
3 tablespoons chopped coriander (cilantro)
1: Heat the oil and add the onion, cumin and ground coriander and cook for 6 minutes or until the onion is lightly browned.
2: Add the lentils, stock and lemon zest and bring to the boil and cook for 15 to 20 minutes till the lentils are soft.
3: Stir in the spinach leaves and cook a further 5 minutes and then season with salt and pepper.
4: Mix yogurt and chopped coriander and spoon onto servings of soup if desired.
Just days ago we were sweltering in 35 C heat, but the very instant the rain arrived, everyone pulled out thick coats, wooly scarves and boots and stomped around the blessedly wet city streets looking like abominable snowmen.
The weather forecast is for 'unseasonably cold' weather this week with temperatures dropping as low as (gasp) 20 C in Tel Aviv and I'll bet electric blankets are being unpacked even as I speak.
Warm yourself from the inside in the coming 'wintry' days with this hearty lentil soup.
Chances are we'll be back to tee-shirts and sandals next week so we may as well pretend it's REALLY winter while we can.
WINTER WARMING SPICED LENTIL & LEMON SOUP
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 cups red lentils
8 cups vegetable/parev chicken stock
Finely grated zest of one lemon
2 cups chopped spinach leaves
Salt and pepper
TO SERVE
1 cup plain yogurt
3 tablespoons chopped coriander (cilantro)
1: Heat the oil and add the onion, cumin and ground coriander and cook for 6 minutes or until the onion is lightly browned.
2: Add the lentils, stock and lemon zest and bring to the boil and cook for 15 to 20 minutes till the lentils are soft.
3: Stir in the spinach leaves and cook a further 5 minutes and then season with salt and pepper.
4: Mix yogurt and chopped coriander and spoon onto servings of soup if desired.