Rashta (Lebanese Lentil and Noodle Soup)
"The beauty of this soup is its fragrance when you add the coriander and garlic."
2 cups brown lentils, preferably the small French variety
2 quarts water
2 tablespoons full-flavored olive oil
2 medium onions, halved and sliced (about 2 cups)
5 large cloves garlic
2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
1/4 cup very finely chopped coriander or parsley leaves
4 ounces medium-width egg noodles
2 tablespoons dried mint
  1. In a 3- to 4-quart pot, combine the lentils and water. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil, uncovered, until tender, about 20 minutes or so, stirring a few times.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and fry the sliced onions until well browned, at least 15 minutes, tossing frequently.
  3. In a mortar and pestle, mash the garlic with the coarse salt until the mixture is a paste. Alternately, use a garlic press to mash the garlic; then, in a small bowl and using the back of a spoon, mash the garlic a few seconds longer with the salt.
  4. Add the coriander or parsley and mash again.
  5. When the lentils are just tender, stir the garlic and herb mixture into the onions and saute 1 minute.
  6. Add some of the lentil liquid to the garlic and herb mixture, scraping the pan to deglaze it.
  7. Scrape the mixture in the skillet into the remaining lentils, stir and cook 2 more minutes.
  8. Add the mint and boil 1 minute longer. Taste and correct salt and pepper.
  9. Serve immediately, piping hot, in flat bowls.
Advance Preparation: Do not make ahead. If left to stand, the noodles get too soft, and you will have to add more water to bring back the lentils to soupy consistency. Plus, when you keep the soup for more than a couple of hours, even without the noodles, the garlic and herb flavors diminish, and the soup has to be re-seasoned. If there are leftovers, they can be kept refrigerated for up to a week; reheat gently and re-season, using more chopped coriander, dried mint and raw garlic.

Makes 2 ½ quarts, serving about 8.


Recipe by Sonia and Sabeh Kachouh, Byblos, Manhattan, New York

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