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Earthy lentils with a whisper of Chios mastiha. A humble soup elevated by one extraordinary ingredient.
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ingredients
•
🌾 LEGUMES
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1.5 cups brown or green lentils, rinsed
🍅 PANTRY
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14 oz can crushed tomatoes
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2 tbsp red wine vinegar
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Olive oil
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4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
🧅 PRODUCE
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1 large onion, finely chopped
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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2 medium carrots, diced
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2 celery stalks, diced
🌿 SPICES & SEASONING
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3–4 mastiha crystals, ground fine in a mortar
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1 tsp ground cumin
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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2 bay leaves
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Salt
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Black pepper
Chios
Mastiha Lentil Soup
Earthy lentils with a whisper of Chios mastiha.
Earthy lentils with a whisper of Chios mastiha. A humble soup elevated by one extraordinary ingredient.
Ingredients
🌾 LEGUMES
— 1.5 cups brown or green lentils, rinsed
🍅 PANTRY
— 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
— 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
— Olive oil
— 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
🧅 PRODUCE
— 1 large onion, finely chopped
— 3 garlic cloves, minced
— 2 medium carrots, diced
— 2 celery stalks, diced
🌿 SPICES & SEASONING
— 3–4 mastiha crystals, ground fine in a mortar
— 1 tsp ground cumin
— 1 tsp smoked paprika
— 2 bay leaves
— Salt
— Black pepper
Prep
🍳 EQUIPMENT / PANS NEEDED
— Large heavy pot or Dutch oven — for the full soup.
— Mortar and pestle — for grinding mastiha crystals.
🔪 PREP FIRST
🌿 MASTIHA PREP
— Place mastiha crystals in freezer for 10 minutes before grinding.
— 👉 Cold mastiha grinds clean — warm crystals turn sticky and gum up the mortar.
— Grind to a fine powder with a pinch of salt.
🧅 PRODUCE PREP
— Finely chop onion.
— Mince garlic.
— Dice carrots and celery into small, even pieces.
🌾 LENTIL PREP
— Rinse lentils under cold water until water runs clear.
— No soaking needed.
Method
STEP 1 — BUILD THE BASE
— Heat pot over medium heat.
— Add:
— 3 tbsp olive oil
— Chopped onion
— Cook 7–8 minutes until soft and golden.
— Then add:
— Garlic, carrots, celery
— Cook 3–4 minutes.
STEP 2 — TOAST THE SPICES
— Add:
— 1 tsp cumin
— 1 tsp smoked paprika
— Stir and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
STEP 3 — ADD LENTILS & LIQUID
— Add:
— Rinsed lentils
— Crushed tomatoes
— Stock
— Bay leaves
— 1 tsp salt
— Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer.
— Cook uncovered for 30–35 minutes.
— You're looking for:
— Lentils fully tender
— Soup slightly thickened
STEP 4 — ADD MASTIHA
— Reduce heat to very low.
— Stir in:
— Ground mastiha powder
— 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
👉 Add mastiha off the boil — gentle heat preserves its delicate resinous note.
— Simmer 5 minutes more.
STEP 5 — FINISH
— Remove bay leaves.
— Taste and adjust salt, vinegar, and pepper.
— Drizzle generously with good olive oil before serving.
Chef's Note: The mastiha should be a whisper — present but not dominant. If you can't place the flavor, it's exactly right.