Persian New Year's Soup with Beans, Noodles, and Herbs (Ash-e-reshteh)

Ingredients for Persian New Year's Soup with Beans, Noodles, and Herbs (Ash-e-reshteh)

• 120ml chickpeas, soaked overnight in water to cover

• 60ml kidney beans, soaked overnight in water to cover

• 120ml dried fava beans, soaked overnight in water to cover, or 350ml frozen lima beans

• 3 yellow onions

• 7 tablespoons olive oil

• 5 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

• 60ml dried lentils

• 3350ml vegetable or chicken stock

• Salt

• 1 large handful fresh mint leaves, torn into pieces

• 170g thin egg noodles or linguine, broken into thirds

• 1 bunch leafy greens, stemmed, and coarsely chopped

• 1/4 cup fresh dill leaves, minced

• 1/2 cup fresh coriander, minced

• 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, minced

• 2 cups plain yoghurt

Dice 1 of the onions. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add 4 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Drain and rinse the chickpeas, kidney beans, and fava beans, and add them to the onion along with 4 of the minced cloves of garlic, the turmeric, and lentils. Sauté for 1 minute, then add the stock and bring to a boil. Boil the beans, covered, for 1 hour. Tilt the lid so the pot is partially covered and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 1/2 hours. Season with salt. Slice the remaining 2 onions into thin half moons. Heat a sauté pan over high heat and add the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add the onions and fry, stirring frequently, until the onions are brown and caramelized. Add the remaining garlic and the mint and sauté for 1 minute. Season with salt and set aside.

Add the noodles to the soup and cook until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. When the noodles are almost done, add the leafy greens and the fresh herbs and cook for 2 minutes. Serve with a large dollop of yoghurt and a few tablespoons of the sautéed onion mixture.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.