Greek Lentil Soup (Φακές (fakes))
Overview
Fakes is the classic Greek lentil soup, one of the most common home dishes in the country. Small brown or green lentils are simmered with onion, garlic, carrot, bay leaves and a little tomato until they are soft but still hold their shape. A generous pour of good olive oil goes in near the end, which gives the soup its silky texture, and each bowl gets a splash of red wine vinegar at the table. The result is thick, earthy and slightly tangy. It is usually eaten with bread, olives, feta cheese and sometimes a few salted sardines or anchovies.
History
Lentils have been eaten in Greece since ancient times, and lentil soup appears in old comic plays as the food of ordinary people. Fakes remains a standard dish during the Orthodox fasting periods, when meat and dairy are avoided, and many Greek families still cook it once a week, often on Wednesdays or Fridays. It is cheap, filling and made almost entirely from pantry staples.
Main ingredients
Brown lentils, tomato, onion, garlic, bay leaves, olive oil and vinegar. The soup is built on water and is usually served hot. Diet: vegan; usually gluten-free.
Explore: Lentil soups · Tomato soups · More soups from Greece
Recipe
Method
- 12 min
Cover the lentils with water, bring to the boil for 2 minutes, then drain.
- 2
Return to the pot with the onion, garlic, carrot, bay, oregano and 1.5 l fresh water.
- 330 min 15 min
Simmer for 30 minutes, then add the tomato and half the oil and cook for 15 minutes more.
- 4
Season, stir in the rest of the oil and serve with vinegar at the table.
- ✓
Serve. About 55 min from start to bowl.
Sources
Description, history and recipe written by SoupWiki and checked against the sources above. Calories and times are rough estimates.
