Persian Pomegranate Soup (Ash Anar)
This hearty, Persian Pomegranate Soup (Ash Anar) will nurture your soul with spinach, yellow split peas and just a tang of pomegranate.
Servings 6
Calories 224kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup chopped parsley
- ¾ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- 1 leek
- 8 cup vegetable stock
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- ½ cup basmati rice
- ⅓ cup yellow split peas
- ¼ cup pomegranate concentrate *see note below
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar optional
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 tablespoon pomegranate arils (1 tablespoon per bowl)
Instructions
- Cut leek in half, lengthwise. Spread the layers of the leek open and hold them under running water to remove the sand and dirt trapped inside the leek. Pat leeks dry then coarsely chop.
- Heat a large stock pot on medium and add olive oil. When oil is hot, sauté leeks until softened, about 5-8 minutes.
- Add chopped parsley, cilantro and spinach and sauté until herbs darken and soften.
- Pour in vegetable stock and lemon juice. Cover pot and bring to a boil.
- When soup is boiling, add rice and split peas. Cover pot, reduce heat to low and cook for 30 minutes.
- Stir in pomegranate concentrate and sugar (if using). Cover pot and simmer for 20 more minutes.
- Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. When ready to serve, pour soup into individual bowls and garnish with 1 tablespoon pomegranate arils per bowl.
Notes
Cooking Tips: If you do not have pomegranate syrup, you can substitute it with 1 cup pomegranate juice. You can also substitute yellow split peas with lentils.
* You can use pomegranate molasses instead of concentrate. Just omit the sugar if using molasses as it already has sugar in it. If you like the soup tangy, don't add the sugar.
TO STORE: Store any leftover soup in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
TO FREEZE: You can also freeze leftovers. Transfer to a resealable bag or freezer safe container and freeze for up to 4 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 39.2g | Protein: 4.6g | Fat: 5.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.9g | Sodium: 973mg | Fiber: 4.1g | Sugar: 16.8g
