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Fakes
Brown lentil soup with a splash of vinegar (φακές)
Fakes (say 'fah-KES') is the weekday soup of Greek homes, often made on a Wednesday or Friday, the traditional fasting days. Small brown lentils are simmered with onion, garlic, carrot, tomato and bay until thick and soft, then brightened at the table with red wine vinegar. It is cheap, filling and ready in well under an hour. Greeks eat it with olives, a wedge of feta for those who eat dairy, raw onion and bread. Chef's tip: add the vinegar off the heat just before eating, not while it cooks; boiling it is the usual mistake and flattens the sharp lift it is meant to give.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Put 10 ½ oz small brown or green lentils in a pot, cover with water, bring to the boil and boil for 3 minutes. Drain; this removes the dusty, bitter taste.
5 minStep 2: Warm ¼ cup olive oil in the pot over a medium heat. Cook 1 onion and 1 carrot for 6 minutes, until soft, then add 3 cloves garlic and 2 tbsp tomato paste and stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
7 minStep 3: Add the lentils, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp dried oregano and 1.2 litres water. Bring to the boil, then simmer over a low heat for 25–30 minutes, until the lentils are soft and the soup has thickened to a loose stew.
28 minStep 4: Season with 1 ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper. Take the pot off the heat, remove the bay leaves and stir in 2 tbsp red wine vinegar. Taste and add more vinegar if you like it sharper.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 17 g
- Carbs
- 40 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 10 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does fakes take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of carrot?
- Parsnip or sweet potato, same weight.
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