Monday, July 20, 2009

Ezo Gelin Corbasi - Turkish Lentil & Bulgur Soup

Ezo Gelin Corbasi (Bride Ezo's Soup) is a delightful and filling Turkish style Red Lentil and Bulgur soup.A net search will give several results on this but I found this delightful soup and also the history behind it in 'A Mediterranean Cooking in Alaska' -or Laurie's blog.Refer the recipe here.

I loved the story of Ezo and am retelling it here.The soup is supposed to have been created by a beautiful girl called Ezo for her mother-in-law with whom she had a difficult relationship.


Born in Anatolia,Turkey Ezo was famed for her beauty.She was married off to a person who was in love with another woman and after suffereing for an year in a loveless marriage she returned home.After few years,she was married off to a distant cousin who lived in Syria or rather Syria-Tibet border.Her marriage worked this time,but she had difficult relationship with her mom-in-law.Added to which were her yearning for her native village.It is said that Ezo created this soup to pacify her mother-in law.



Finally when Ezo died she was first buried in Syria but later after some agreement-disagreement or negotiations between Syria and Turkey she was reburied in her native village.Her story became an legend and has been made into film as well.

The soup which is made of red lentil and bulgur is quick and easy to make and hearty and filling as any lentil soup.It is said that every bride in Turkey will be given this soup on the eve of marriage -may be for a smooth relationship with mom-in-law.!

Ingredients:
RedLentil (Masoor Dal): 1/2 cup
Bulgur: 1/4 cup

Olive Oil: 1 tbsp
Onion: 1 small finely chopped

Garlic: 1-2 cloves minced/crushed
Aleppo Pepper or Hot Paprika: 1-2 tsp
Tomato Paste: 1 tbsp

Veg Stock: 3 cup +

Mint Oil Topping:
Olive Oil
Dried Mint
Aleppo Pepper/Paprika (optional)

Preparation:
Pick,wash,clean and drain the lentils.

Heat olive oil in a deep pan/kadai.Saute onion adding little salt and pepper till it becomes brown.Add minced garlic,tomato paste and Aleppo pepper/paprika.Saute for 2 minutes till oil separates.I added a mix of chilli powder and paprika.

Add stock,bulgur and red lentil and mix well and bring to a boil.Reduce to a simmer and cover and cook for 15-20 minutes till the lentils get cooked.

Puree in a blender for a smooth and creamy soup.This is optional but I did.If the soup is too thick,add more stock/water.Adjust salt and pepper and serve garnished with mint oil.

Mint Oil:
Warm little olive oil in a pan.Remove from heat and stir in dried mint and optional paprika.Drizzle on top of the soup.

FYI: If you do not have dried mint,then take few fresh mint.Clean the leaves and pat dry on paper towels for atleast 1 hour.Microwave at full power for 1-3 minutes keeping them sandwiched between two paper towels and also reversing the sides during half time.The leaves should become dry and crumbly-when touched the dried mint leaves should crumble into pieces.Check after 1 minute or so as you should not burn the leaves.Refer here for more details.

The oil garnish is optional but adds a different taste.I liked it but preferred the soup as itself.Well,I am assuming here that Ezo's mother-in law liked it too.The soup on pureeing turned out to be very very thick and I had to add more water/stock to it.

The hearty Bride Soup with bulgur is on way to NoCroutonsRequired:Grains hosted this time by Lisa.

The soup being made of legumes is also going to MLLA-13 ,started by Susan and hosted by sunny SunshineMom

16 Comments:

Yasmeen said...

A soup to mend relations with Mom-in-law sounds heartwarming :D

chef and her kitchen said...

that is a new kind of soup..looks completely new..

Lisa Turner said...

Thanks very much for your lovely entry. Even though it is summer where I am, I continue to enjoy soups.

Anonymous said...

Ezo..thats a touching story.and her soup looks as hearty as her..lovely dear

Parita said...

New to me, healthy and fulfilling!

Unknown said...

Interesting recipe verynew to me looks great.

Vaishali said...

That's a lovely story to go with a lovely recipe, Curry. Love the mint oil topping-- sounds really flavorful.

Indian Khana said...

Looks delicious..that's nice combo

Navita (Gupta) Hakim said...

wow love the soup...its nice with the mint.

guess what I have been drying (in MW) mint, dill and fenugreek,;p

Nithya Praveen said...

sounds new to me....looks perfect!

Shri said...

Bulgur is new to me:)The soup looks yummy!

Thistlemoon said...

I love this soup!!!! It is so good, hearty and delicious!

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

Another exotic recipe and a very interesting soup. If only food could ease all troubled relationships.

Usha said...

Interesting soup and interesting story behind it. I am always looking for lentil soup recipes, this one definitely is a must try !

Sunshinemom said...

The story makes it all the more exotic! Thanks for the rare delicacy. Anything with masoor works for me! Hey, did you offer this to MIL? Yours must be in love with you after she has had all those other delicacies you prepare:).

workhard said...

Thats a good review!!!!

the soup seems very healthy.. rich in protein...


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