Armenian Lentil Soup

1 1/2 cups dried lentils (I used red)
6 cups stock or water
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots

1 cup Onion, chopped
2 - 3 cups Eggplant, cubed (I didn't peel them and they
added some texture but next time I think I
will peel them)
1 1/2 cup Tomato, chopped (fresh or canned, best to
discard the tough stem area)
canned, try to remove
1 Green pepper, chopped

1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground allspice (can use extra cinnamon instead)
1/4 tsp cayenne or crushed red pepper (I used cayenne)
1 Tbsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp salt
Garnish to stir into soup before serving
-----------------------------------------
3 Tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley
1 Tbsp chopped fresh mint
1. Cook lentils in a large soup or stock pot that has a cover
(the 3qt pot I used was really too small for the finished
product)
a. Rinse lentils and bring to a boil in stock.
b. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 20 minutes
(Start preparing and cooking the veggies while this
is simmering.)
c. Add chopped apricots and simmer another 20 minutes

2. Cook veggies in a big frying pan that can be covered
a. Saute onion in a bit of water or stock till
translucent
b. Add eggplant and about 4 tbsp water. Stir around
and put cover on pan. Cook on low temp til almost
tender.
c. Add tomato, green pepper, cinnamon, allspice,
cayenne, paprika, and salt. Stir.
d. Cook covered another 10 minutes or until tender.

3. Mix veggies into lentils and simmer, covered about 15
minutes.

4. Serve with parsley and mint. I stirred them into each
individual bowl of soup so that I could store the
unconsumed soup.