Join KindChef Alp to make a Ezogelin (based on this recipe from Refika Birgül)

Ezogelin soup is one of the most loved and probably the most frequently consumed soup recipes in Turkish cuisine.  But Ezogelin soup is often confused with lentil soup.  And although both are made with lentils, they are very different soups. Lentil soup is made with only lentils, while bulgur and rice, or sometimes just one, is added to Ezogelin soup along with lentils. While lentil soup is smooth, Ezogelin soup is grainy.

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.

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Ezogelin Soup

Ingredients

• 4 Tbsp butter
• 8 Tbsp olive oil
• 4 medium-sized onions, roughly chopped
• 4 medium-sized potatoes, roughly chopped
• 4 carrots, roughly chopped 
• 4 Tbsp tomato paste
• 4 Tbsp red pepper paste (if you don’t have it, add more tomato paste)
• 4 cups red lentils, washed and rinsed
• 2 cups chicken stock 
• 7 quarts of hot water
• 1lb (2.5 cups) bulgur, medium or coarsely ground, is better, but all would work great
• 4 teaspoons salt
• 4 teaspoons paprika
• 4 teaspoons black pepper
• 12 teaspoons dry mint
• Add lemon juice to taste when serving

Instructions

• Heat pot on high heat, melt the butter and olive oil. Add the onion, potato and carrot when the oil is hot. Cook, stirring often for 5-6 mins. Add the tomato and pepper paste and stir for a minute.
• Add the lentil and pour the chicken stock and 6 quarts of water. Bring to boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
• After all ingredients are cooked (when the lentil and vegetables are soft) blend the soup with an immersion blender until it is smooth.
• Add bulgur, salt, paprika, black pepper, dry mint, and the remaining water (about 2 quarts) into the pot. Cook for 5 minutes and stir continuously on low heat.
• Your delicious ezogelin soup is ready. 

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, “Ezogelin 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). 
• 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