Lentil Soup with Middle Eastern Flavors and Meyer Lemons - A Zest for Life

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups onion (peeled, 1/3" dice)
• 3 medium garlic cloves (peeled and minced)
• 2 cups butternut squash (peeled, 1/3" dice)
• 1/2 cup carrots (peeled, 1/3" dice)
• 1/2 cup leeks (whites and light greens, cleaned and chopped, 1/3" dice )
• 3 teaspoons Baharat Seasoning*
• 2 cups red lentils (rinsed and picked through)
• 3/4 cup ripe pear (peeled, 1/3" dice)
• 8 cups vegetable broth (preferably homemade (can use chicken broth if not vegan))
• 4 tablespoons fresh meyer lemon juice ((from one ripe meyer lemon))
• 1/2 teaspoon meyer lemon rind (finely grated)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt (or to taste)