Savor the Middle Eastern Cuisine: Persian-inspired Lamb Meatball Soup

Ingredients:

SOUP

2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 yellow onion, thinly sliced

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

3/4 cup short-grain white rice

3/4 cup dried green split peas, soaked overnight and drained

2 cups finely chopped parsley leaves and tender stems

2 cups finely chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems

1/2 cup finely chopped mint leaves

2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses, plus more as needed

Kosher salt

MEATBALLS

1 small yellow onion, grated

1/2 pound ground lamb

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

TOPPINGS

1/4 cup canola oil

2 tablespoons dried mint

1 large onion, thinly sliced

Preparation:

Make the soup In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, cinnamon and turmeric and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is beginning to soften, 5 minutes. Add the rice, split peas and 10 cups of water and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the rice and peas are tender and the soup is quite thick, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Add the scallions, parsley, cilantro and mint and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the pomegranate molasses and season with salt.

Make the meatballs In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoons of the ground lamb into balls. Add the meatballs to the soup and simmer until cooked through, 10 minutes. If the soup is getting too thick, add water.

Meanwhile, make the toppings In a small skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the canola oil. Add the dried mint and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Scrape the mint oil into a bowl and wipe out the skillet.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of canola oil in the skillet. Add the onion and cook over moderate heat until golden and crisp, 8 minutes; drain. Serve the soup garnished with the mint oil and fried onions.

Make Ahead
The soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently before serving. Add the meatballs and simmer 10 minutes before serving.

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