Crushed Lentil Soup with Lamb Meatballs

This hearty Crushed Lentil Soup loaded with delicious Mediterranean flavor is accompanied by the most succulent lamb meatballs and then drizzled with a refreshing lemon and mint yogurt sauce.

We frequent a delicious Mediterranean Grill in our neighborhood twice a week or at least once when I’m in town for the weekends. They have a nice variety of dishes and they’re all so tasty. Do you love Middle Eastern dishes as much as I do? I could eat it daily and when I’m on the road, I usually gravitate to it as well. It’s such a heart healthy option these days during my travel. I absolutely love almost every single item on the menu…Hummus, Chicken Shawarma, Lamb Chops, Tabbouli, that addictive Garlic Paste and you can’t forget those yummy Pickled Turnips, right?!?!?!  I’m droolin’!!!

A few months ago, my momma introduced me to their Crushed Lentil Soup and it was like love at first scoop. Oh my! I couldn’t stop going in for just that yummy goodness alone. I called them to see if they would tell me what they put in it and to my surprise, they did! Manager said there was rice and curry powder in it!!! Momma even told me they mentioned that they use a packaged soup!!! Wow! I was sure that I could recreate a homemade version of this Crushed Lentil Soup. Then I began to think how I could create an entire meal out of it. Hmmmm. How about adding some flavorful, tender lamb meatballs?!?!?!? OMG!!! You have to try this guys!! I’m not kidding you…the whole family went wild over it!! Even hubby!!! He went in for 2nds and even 3rds!! SCORE!!! You guys know how hard he is to please. 🙂 He said it was even better than the takeout version!!! TOUCHDOWN!!! Now we’re cookin’ with gas and it’s a healthy option to boot!! SWEET!!!

This Crushed Lentil Soup reminds me of the scripture in Isaiah 53:5 which states, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.” (AMP). Did you know that Christ’s death made available for us not only salvation from sin, but from sickness and disease as well? As God’s children, we can receive healing from sickness just like we receive salvation from sin and death simply in claiming it by faith. As a matter of fact, I Peter 2:24 further states, “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. It’s already done, guys as HE took care of it on the cross for us!!! Claim it!! It’s yours for the taking. Remember that faith takes it and patience keeps it!! Oh and have a great Lentils Weekend by the way!! Say Grace and enjoy!!

P.S. This Crushed Lentil Soup is a great vegetarian option as well…just omit the yummy lamb meatballs!! It’s still the best!!

Crushed Lentil Soup with Lamb Meatballs

Felesha Bell

This hearty Crushed Lentil Soup loaded with delicious Mediterranean flavor is accompanied by the most succulent lamb meatballs and then drizzled with a refreshing lemon and mint yogurt sauce.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Intermediate

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4 -5

Ingredients

  

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• Crushed Lentil Soup
• 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lg. yellow onion diced (about 2 cups)
• 1 lg. carrot diced (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 celery stalk diced (about a 1/2 cup)
• 5 garlic cloves minced
• 2 fresh bay leaves
• 1 1/2 c. red split lentils
• 1/2 c. brown rice
• 2 1/2 tsp. curry powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 7 c. vegetable broth divided
• Lamb Meatballs
• 3 T. olive oil
• 2 slices Udi's Whole Grain Gluten Free Bread crumbled
• 1/4 c. organic whole milk
• 1 lb. grassfed ground lamb
• 1 c. slivered and toasted almonds chopped
• 1 smallish yellow onion about 1/3 cup
• 1/3 c. golden raisins chopped
• 1 beaten egg
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 2 T. fresh chopped parsley
• 1 T. fresh chopped cilantro
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• Yogurt Sauce
• 1 c. organic plain yogurt
• 1 T. chopped mint
• 1/2 tsp. lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. honey optional since I gave up sugar
• pinch of salt

Instructions

 

• In a large stock pot on medium-high heat, saute onion and garlic fr a few minutes or until onion is tender and translucent.
• Add 5 c. vegetable broth, lentils, brown rice, curry powder, sea salt, crushed red pepper.
• Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes or until tender.
• While the soup is cooking, prepare the meatballs. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Soak breadcrumbs with milk in a small bowl.
• In a large bowl, using two forks, combine lamb, almonds, onion, raisins, egg, soaked breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, cilantro, crushed red pepper salt and pepper.
• Form the mixture into 16 nicely sized meatballs.
• Heat large oven proof skillet with olive oil. Sear the meatballs on all sides over high heat.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for about 15 minutes or until done through.
• While the meatballs are cooking, remove about 1 c. of the lentils & rice mixture and the bay leaves. Set lentils and rice mixture aside. Discard the bay leaves.
• Using a immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. You can also use a food processor or a regular blender. If using a blender, allow the soup to cool for about 5-10 minutes and then blend carefully. No explosions please!! That's why I love my immersion blender.
• Once blended and back in the same pot, add the reserved lentils and rice back in for some texture.
• Add 2 more cups of vegetable broth, stir and cook for a few minutes more. Keep warm.
• Make the yogurt sauce by combining the yogurt, mint, lemon zest, juice, honey, if using and salt.
• Serve the soup up with the meatballs and drizzle with the yogurt sauce. Say Grace and enjoy!!

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Lamb Meatballs adapted from Wolgang Puck