Join KindChef Leni to make a Turkish Style Lentil Soup (based on this recipe from MonamiFood.)
After completing your soup, freeze and label it for donation, then drop off at one of our participating food assistance providers, with a person or family that is in your heart, or anyplace that you prefer, when convenient. Finally, report on where you shared your KindSoup and spread the word: Post a picture or two of you and your soups on social media with #DoKindWorks and tag us @DoKindWorks.
Turkish Style Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups split red lentils
- 12 cups water
- 6 tablespoons Penzeys Turkish Seasoning
- Extra virgin olive oil, to taste
Optional
- Penzeys Resist! spice mix (hot/spicy), to taste, if desired
- Baby spinach or spring mix
- Fresh chopped cilantro or parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Inspect the lentils. Put the lentils into a strainer, and put the strainer into a bowl. Inspect the lentils, and if you see foreign matter, remove it.
- Clean the lentils. Run water over the lentils in the strainer inside the bowl. Swish the lentils around in the water. Pour off the cloudy water. After doing this three or four times, the water will run almost clear. Let the excess water drain from the lentils.
- Cook the lentils. Follow the package directions for cooking. Or use this basic set of directions: In a large pot, heat the water to boiling. Add the lentils to the pot. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to a moderate simmer. Cover the pot with the lid, leaving it little bit ajar. Simmer for 6 – 12 minutes, until the lentils look and taste cooked to you.
- Add the spices. When the lentils are cooked, mix in Penzeys Turkish Seasoning. While the recipe calls for 6 tablespoons of Turkish Seasoning, start with just 3 tablespoons and then add more to taste. And, if you want the soup to have a hot/spicy kickto it, add a tad of Penzeys Resist! spice mix.
- Add the optional ingredients of your choosing. Add a heap of baby spinach or spring mix to a microwaveable container and cover it with a tight cover. Place the covered bowl into your microwave and microwave on high until the greens are wilted. Use a scissors to cut the the greens into smaller pieces and then add them to your soup.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley and fresh squeezed lemon will kick your soup up a notch. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over each bowl of soup. This add great flavor!
Health and Safety Information
In order to protect the the quality of our KindSoup program, we ask that volunteers conscientiously observe the following guidelines:
- Start with clean hands and wash again frequently as needed throughout the cooking process.
- Start with clean kitchen surfaces and utensils (antibacterial wipes do a great job).
- Keep longer hair tied back.
- Follow other common sense procedures, such as never returning a tasting spoon to the pot!
Thank you for maintaining a high cleanliness standard for our KindSoup donations!
How to Donate Your KindSoup
Seal containers with a tight lid and freeze. Label each container with: date prepared, your first name and last initial, “Turkish Style Lentil Soup” and any relevant food allergy info. When convenient, drop containers of frozen soup off at one of the following participating food assistance providers, with a person or family that is in your heart, or a place that you prefer.
- 5171 Manning Place NW (in the Palisades neighborhood in DC). NOTE: Soups dropped here must be vegetarian or Halal only, please.
- Rainbow Community Development Center 12120 Tech Road, Silver Spring (this takes you to the rear parking lot and loading dock – there is usually a large RAINBOW truck parked here): Drop-off Monday-Friday 9am-2pm. NOTE: If you go during Rainbow’s food distributions on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 9am-noon, you may see a long line of cars – you can drive past the cars to drop off your KindSoup. If you go at other times and the garage or back door is not open, call or text Anna on her personal cell at 301-852-4184 (if she doesn’t answer, leave a message and she should get back within a few minutes, or try calling the Rainbow Pantry cellphone: 240-639-2293)
- So What Else 4924 Wyaconda Road, Rockville, 240-705-4345. (Look for the Dogtopia. Drive straight past Doptopia to get to our parking lot. The entrance will be on the right hand side as you pull into the parking lot. After you park, walk up to the glass door at the bottom of the black ramp, ring the doorbell, let the team know you’ve arrived to drop off KindSoups): Drop-off Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm and Saturdays 7am-12pm.
- Upcounty Consolidation Hub 12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown (supporting 1,000 families with food and other supports). Drop off Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays 8 am-4:30 pm.
- Embry Rucker Shelter 11975 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, 703-437-1975. Leave donations on the table around the back. Drop off anytime!
Here are some options for donating outside the DC area:
- NYC Community Fridges located throughout New York City.
- Bread and Roses 58 Newbury St., Lawrence, Mass., 978-681-8768. Drop off Mondays-Thursdays, 10 am-4 pm.
- The Bristol Lodge 27 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass., 781-893-0108. Drop off Mondays-Fridays, 9am-6pm.
- Community Refrigerators located in Los Angeles
See you in the KindSoup kitchen!
Learn more about this KindWorks program
