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Vegetarian, Maghreb and Middle East

Adas bhamod lentil soup with bread

Adas bhamod is a Syrian lentil and chard soup seasoned with cumin, garlic, and plenty of lemon. For 4 people, it takes 45 minutes, rates easy, and costs €1.30 per serving. The key to getting it right is squeezing the lemon in off the heat, right at the end, so it keeps its sharp acidity.

A Syrian adas bhamod, a lentil and chard soup with plenty of lemon and garlic, and bread to mop it all up.

Adas bhamod lentil soup with bread
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.30
Calories per person
650 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Adas bhamod plays on contrast, soft lentils, tender chard stems, and a sharp hit of lemon squeezed in at the last moment. Raw garlic and fresh cilantro stirred in at the end wake up a soup that could otherwise feel plain. It's comforting but lively, never heavy despite the lentils.

This is an easy weeknight soup, good with nothing more than bread on the side. Kids tend to like it, especially if you let everyone add their own lemon and garlic at the table instead of cooking it all in. It also works as a simple vegetarian dinner that doesn't feel like you tried too hard.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Green lentilsoften in the pantry 250 g
  • Cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 6 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Chard 500 g
  • Onion 2
  • Garlic 5 cloves
  • Cilantro 1 bunch
  • Lemon 3

Bakery

  • Baguette 1

Allergens Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the lentils in 1.5 l of salted water at a gentle simmer. 25 min

    Skim the surface during the first few minutes for a clearer soup.

  2. Wash the chard, separate the stems from the leaves, and chop them into small pieces.

    Keep the stems, they add softness and cook up well.

  3. Brown the onions in the oil, then add the garlic, chopped cilantro, and cumin. 8 min

    Save a bit of fresh cilantro for the end.

  4. Pour everything into the lentils along with the chard and cook until tender. 12 min

    Chard leaves cook very fast, add them last.

  5. Off the heat, add the lemon juice, taste, adjust the salt, and serve with bread.

    Be generous with the lemon, it's the signature of this dish.

Our tips to get it right

  • Mince the raw garlic you add at the end very finely, it should melt into the soup rather than leave sharp chunks in every spoonful.
  • Separate the chard stems from the leaves right away, the stems can handle a longer simmer while the leaves wilt in just a few minutes.
  • Squeeze the lemons right before serving instead of ahead of time, fresh juice has more punch than juice that's been sitting in a glass.

The variations

  • Swap the chard for fresh spinach, adding it only 2 to 3 minutes before the end since it cooks so fast.
  • For a milder version kids will enjoy, cut back on the raw garlic and serve the lemon on the side so everyone can adjust their own bowl.
  • For a faster version, use red lentils instead of green, they cook in about ten minutes and give the soup a creamier texture.

What to serve it with

  • Fresh or toasted bread for dipping
  • Black olives on the side
  • Mint tea after the meal

Storage

This soup keeps for 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container. It freezes well for up to 2 months, just thaw and reheat gently on the stove. Add fresh lemon juice when you reheat it to bring back its full brightness.

Questions about this dish

Can you make adas bhamod ahead of time?

Yes, make the soup without the lemon up to a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Add fresh lemon juice when you reheat it and serve, so it keeps its full acidity.

Can you replace the chard with another vegetable?

Spinach works well, as long as you add it only at the very end since it cooks so fast. Finely shredded green cabbage is another option, though it needs a few extra minutes to cook.

Why add the lemon off the heat?

Lemon juice loses its freshness and can turn slightly bitter if it simmers too long. Adding it off the heat, right before serving, keeps the bright acidity that defines this dish.

Is this soup good for kids?

Yes, as long as you adjust the raw garlic and lemon to their taste. Many families serve both on the side so everyone can season their own bowl.

How long does it take to make an adas bhamod with bread?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in an adas bhamod with bread?

About 650 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does an adas bhamod with bread cost?

About €1.30 per serving, or €5.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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