Mediterranean Kitchen Lentil Soup

Servings: 6
Ingredients:

5 c  Lentils
3 qt Water
1 1/2 lg Onions, coarsely chopped
1/2 c  Vegetable oil, divided
1/2 c  Olive oil
1    Green bell pepper, seeded,
-membranes removed, coarsely
-chopped
1 ts Salt or to taste
1/4 ts Coarsely ground black pepper
1 ts Ground allspice
1 ts Cumin
3/4 ts Ground cinnamon
6    Cloves garlic, peeled and
-coarsely chopped
1 c  Chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 c  Lemon juice

1. Bring lentils and water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered,
while preparing the vegetables.

2. Meanwhile, in small frying pan cook onions in 1/4 cup vegetable oil
and the olive oil over medium heat.

3. When onions start to brown, about 10 minutes, add green pepper and
cook together for about 2 minutes.

4. Add onion-pepper combination and oil in which they were cooked to
lentils. cook lentils about 40 minutes. Season with salt; pepper,
allspice, cumin and cinnamon. continue to cook, covered, stirring
frequently, about 20 minutes.

5. Blend garlic with 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a blender or with mortar
and pestle until pureed and well blended.

6. When lentils are tender, add cilantro. Turn off heat. Then add
garlic-oil puree. Stir well.

7. After a minute, add lemon juice. Taste and correct seasonings if
necessary. Serve immediately.