Turkish lentil soup (Mercimek çorbası) | Recipe | A kitchen in Istanbul

Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 1 medium carrot (grated (optional))
• 3 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
• 35 g tomato paste
• 15 g Turkish hot red pepper paste (acı biber salçası) (or sweet pepper paste or more tomato paste)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 180 g red lentils
• 1.2 l boiling water or light stock
• salt and pepper
• 3 Tbsp butter or extra virgin oil (I use a mild one)
• 1 tsp pul biber (Aleppo pepper)
• 1 lemon (cut into wedges, to serve)
• 1 small handful flat-leaf parsley (Italian parsley) (chopped, to serve (optional))