Fakes Soupa (Greek Lentil Soup)
Fakes (pronounced fah-khés) is a Greek vegan lentil soup with vegetables. It is of high nutritional value which makes it perfect for the cold days!
I don't like making New Year's resolutions but I know that I am back to healthy cooking again and I'll try to keep cooking as healthy as possible.
After all that butter which was consumed during December and gaining a few kilos, I haven't yet made anything sweet this month and although I am not on a diet at least I am back to cooking more vegetables and legumes and trying to keep the calories low.
Greek cuisine is so simple but yet so delicious because of the quality ingredients added to it.
Greek lentils are cooked without being soaked from the previous night because they are cooked so easily, then all the ingredients are fresh and of course the olive oil used, adds amazing flavour to any dish.
This is one of the recipes I cook very often during cold days. During summer I prefer to make the Cypriot recipe called Fakes Moutzentra.
I cooked this soup a few days ago and this is a twist to my traditional Greek recipe.
If you like you can add more tomato as well as 1 tablespoon tomato paste for a red soup.
If you like you can add additional raw olive oil on top as well as more vinegar.
Note:
Many people discard the water after boiling the lentils for 10 - 15 minutes. This is how my mother used to do it and I did it for many years, following her instructions. However, this water is not only tasty but also contains all the vitamins and other nutritious properties.
You can find more Lenten Recipes here.
I am sending this hearty soup to No Croutons Required, hosted by Lisa, of Lisa's Vegeterian Kitchen.
I am also sending it to Deb, of Kahakai Kitchen, hosting Souper Sundays.
On the way to My Legume Love Affair - Seventh Helping host by Srivalli, Event created by Susan, of The Well- Seasoned Cook.
You can find my Greek recipes in my cookbooks «More Than A Greek Salad», and«Mint, Cinnamon & Blossom Water, Flavours of Cyprus, Kopiaste!» both available on all Amazon stores. Read more here.
Fakes Soupa (Greek Lentil Soup)
Fakes (pronounced fakhés) is a Greek vegan lentil soup with vegetables It is of high nutritional value which makes it perfect for the cold days!
Ingredients
- 250 grams brown lentils
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 large carrot, finely chopped
- 1 medium potato, diced (optional)
- ½ cup finely chopped celery
- 2 ripe tomatoes (or more), peeled and grated
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional)
- 1 organic vegetable bouillon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A pinch of dried oregano
- 1 - 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons red wine or balsamic vinegar
- 750 ml of water (about 3 cups)
Instructions
- Check if there are any small stones in the lentils and put them in pot and cover them with water.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for fifteen minutes Drain lentils and keep the water. Set aside.
- Wash the pot and dry or use a new one. Heat the olive oil and sauté the onions until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté together with onions for 1 more minute.
- Add the vegetables, the grated tomato, the bay leaves, the bouillon, salt pepper and oregano as well as the vinegar and reserved water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, checking at regular intervals so that potato may not stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Add the lentils and simmer covered for about 30 more minutes or until soup is ready and to the desired thickness.
- Serve hot with Greek Kalamata olives and bread (in moderation).
- If you like you can add additional raw olive oil on top as well as more vinegar.
Notes
Many people discard the water after boiling the lentils for 10 - 15 minutes. This is how my mother used to do it and I did it for many years, following her instructions. However, this water is not only tasty but also contains all the vitamins and other nutritious properties.
Nutrition Information
Yield 5 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 231Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 0mgSodium 98mgCarbohydrates 27gFiber 7gSugar 6gProtein 7g
Soups
If you like soups, check out these soups as well!
Mushroom Soup
This mushroom soup yields a hearty and flavourful vegan soup with a blend of vegetables and herbs, perfect for a comforting and delicious meal.
Magiritsa
Magiritsa is the Greek soup, made from lamb offal, lettuce and avgolemono sauce and the first meal served after the 40 days fasting of Lent.
Turkey Soup with leftover Turkey
This delicious Turkey soup, which is one of my favorites, is made with the carcass of our roasted turkey, which we make during Christmas.
Anginarosoupa: Artichoke & Celeriac Soup
Anginarosoupa, is a healthy and delicious Artichoke and Celeriac soup made from fresh artichokes, onions, garlic, celery and many other vegetable. The fish and Greek yoghurt are optional, so if you leave them out the dish is vegan.
Fakes Soupa (Greek Lentil Soup)
Fakes (pronounced fakhés) is a Greek vegan lentil soup with vegetables.  It is of high nutritional value which makes it perfect for the cold days!
Hoummous Soup (Chickpeas soup)
Hoummous soup is made with the same ingredients as for hoummous dip. More hot broth is added until it reaches the consistency of a soup and is served with croutons. The cooked chickpeas can be freezed, so when making this soup, I usually boil more in order to make the dip whenever I like.
Big Bang Soup (Veloute Vegetable Soup)
The Bing Bang soup, as I call it, is a hearty veloute vegetable soup with star shaped pasta, which can be adapted with more vegetables.
Why is chicken soup good when you have a cold?
This recipe I made is not the classic Avgolemono Soup as I have enriched it with more vitamins and nutrients by adding some carrots, celery, a potato and an onion.
Cypriot Trahanas Soup
Trahanas (pronounced trah-hah-NAHS), is a traditional Greek and Cypriot product, made from cracked wheat flour and a goat milk curd that is fermented.
Greek Fava and Pumpkin Soup and Dip
This Greek Pumpkin and Fava Soup is made from scratch and is healthy, filling and perfect as a starter for a dinner party or a light supper.
Mirepoix Giouvarlakia Avgolemono Soup
A different recipe for Giouvarlakia avgolemono, which start with a mirepoix and then the meatballs are cooked with the vegetables and finish with the egg-lemon (avgolemono) sauce.
Kreatosoupa (Veal Soup with Vegetables)
Kreatosoupa is a Greek soup made with veal and lots of vegetables. I also call this soup clean up your fridge soup, as you can use any or all optional vegetables in the recipe.
Kopiaste and Kali Orexi,
What a delicious, warm and comforting soup!
What a gorgeous soup! I love lentils and this sounds so good and healthy too. Thanks for sharing it on Souper Sundays! The post is up and your soup looks perfect.
Aloha,
Deb
Hola Ivy. Another wonderful soup to add to my collection. Seems like I eat soup 90 percent of the time during the winter. And I will most certainly have to try this one. Sounds absolutely delicious. Thank you my friend.
Thank you for your lovely comments.
P.G. I am glad that you enjoy Kalamata olives. Kalamata is a region in Greece, famous for its production of olives and olive oils. In particular the Kalamata olive is often known as the Greek olive, and is distinct in taste and appearance from most green and black olives. When Kalamata olives are not used for olive oil, which is a fairly common use, they are normally brined, packed in olive oil or pickled in wine vinaigrette.
What a lovely soup, Ivy!! We've been shoveling so much that there are snow drifts at the foot of our driveway which are 7 feet high - yesterday I would have KILLED for a bowl of lentil soup. Also, your bread looked really, really good. Was it homemade?
Wow warm, comforting and yummy soup.....
I know what you mean by healthy cooking, Ivy. Its nice to get back to regular food after calorie overloads. 🙂
This looks and sounds a lot like the "dals" we make in India. They're very tasty, filling and comforting.
This is the third soup I've come across today. No that I'm complaining...in fact, the more, the merrier...we adore soups 🙂
Always loved Fakkes, always will. That's how I eat it...psomi, elies and maybe some toursi.
Wow wat healthy soup..just love anything with lentils..yummy soup..
This lentil soup looks really hearty and delicious...
Hello Ivy, Oooo this is what we need on this cold windy ... I am making your recipe tonight!