Fakes (Greek Lentil Soup)

By Cartaphilus

There is a Greek restaurant near us that makes a Fakes that is to die for. If you want to make the owner laugh, ask him for the recipe. It has taken me years to duplicate his, but I think I have it now...

Ingredients

• 8 ounces brown lentils
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 onion, minced
• 1 lg carrot, chopped
• 1 qt water
• 1 pinch dried oregano
• 1 pinch crushed, dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cinnamon stick
• salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Step 1

Place lentils in a large saucepan and cover with water. Allow to soak for an hour. Add more water as needed to cover lentils by 1 inch. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Cook for ten minutes, stirring occasionally. Then drain lentils into a strainer.

Dry the saucepan. pour in olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add garlic, onion and carrot. Cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour in lentils, 1 quart water, oregano, rosemary, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer at medium-low for 10 minutes.

Stir in tomato paste. Add cinnamon stick(s), and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer until the lentils have softened, 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add additional water if the soup gets too thick.

Remove the bay leaves and the cinnamon stick and serve.