Fakes Soup: Delicious superfood of Greek Orthodox fasting

Lentils are so nutritional as they contain a great source of protein, iron, fibre, magnesium and folate, greekcitytimes.com notes in arecent article:

Fakes (Greek lentil soup) is lent friendly, making it a fantastic dish for those who are looking to eat something simple and tasty during fasting and it really is a staple during Greek Orthodox Great Lent.

This recipe includes olive oil, nevertheless, if you are also fasting from oil during Holy Week, you do not include this ingredient.

Makes 6 soup bowls 

Ingredients

• – 250 grams brown lentils
• – 8 cups of water
• – 1 x red onion, finely chopped
• – 2 x garlic cloves, finely chopped
• – 1 x carrot, peeled and chopped
• – 2 x celery sticks, finely chopped
• – 1/4 cup of parsley, finely chopped
• – 1 x bay leaf
• – 3 x tomatoes, grated
• – 1/4 cup of olive oil (optional)
• – salt and pepper to taste
• – 1 x tablespoon vinegar (optional)

Method

• – Wash lentils thoroughly and place in a pot with covering water and bring to a boil.
• – Drain lentils and set aside.
• – Finely chop celery, onion, parsley and garlic.
• – Grate tomatoes and carrot.
• – Place pot over medium heat and add water, lentils, tomatoes, celery, carrots, garlic and bay leaf. Stir with a wooden spoon and allow to simmer with the lid on for about 25 minutes.
• – Pour in olive oil, salt, pepper and vinegar (optional) stir again and cook on medium heat, with lid on for another 40 minutes, or until it thickens.