Ashe Anar (Pomegranate Soup With Meatballs)

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large yellow onions, finely chopped
• 8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• ½ cup basmati rice, rinsed and drained
• ½ cup yellow lentils
• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 quarts (12 cups) water
• 1 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 cup fresh mint plus more for garnish, finely chopped
• 2 to 3 bunches scallions (about 20), finely chopped
• 1 cup pomegranate concentrate
• ¼ cup to ½ cup granulated sugar (optional)
• 1½ pounds ground beef
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Pomegranate seeds for garnish