Greek Lentil Soup with Rice: Dad's Fakes Recipe 

This the exact recipe my mom taught me. She comes from Kalamata. She does it all old school though and will blanch fresh tomatoes, peel, and then chop into the soup. I can't be bothered, so I just one 14 oz can of chopped tomatoes. I have never added rice, but will give it a try. Usually if I want a starch, I add a small pasta like ditalini during the last 7 minutes of cooking. I will sometimes add chopped kale / spinach if I have it in the crisper. I make lentils every week and then portion and freeze. Makes for a great lunch while I am working and I always have it on hand. All my "American" friends always request my lentil soup and think it is some magical recipe. Us Greeks know that the best foods are sometimes the most simple and nutritious!

This one I will definitely make. Thank you so much, Dimitra, for all the lovely recipes you give us.

TY sweet Dimitroula mou for this fakes soup! That's my dad's favorite soup. He also loves fasolada. I'll definitely make this since I need to get rid of my lentils in my pantry.

I am Italian/American and my mother made her lentils and rice soup this way too..It is so good! I like it on the thick side, creamy like a stew-soup...Mmmmm Yummy!

I’ve got this cooking right now! Thanks Dimitra & Happy New Year! 😘

Lovely. That's how my mother cooked them and I do too. Apparently the rice helps to absorb the iron from the lentils.

I am happy I found your channel. Great recipes. I love lentil soup and I do it identical to your dad with a few exceptions. The lentils usually take 40 minutes to cook in water. what I do is cook them in water for 20 minutes then ice bath and set aside. I do the same sauce as you with the only difference I let it cook for about 40 minutes and then add the lentils and cook for another 20 minutes, then add the salt and vinegar. Oh and a few demiglace cubes and besides carrots I also add celery. You get a more complex taste because the sauce gets to cook longer without the lentils I still love your way because the traditional way is they put everything in a pot without sautéing it. I prefer developing more flavor. I am going to try the Fasolatha next :) Like most Greek moms they prefer you go to eat at their place then give you the recipe. At least my mom does. Every time I ask her for a recipe she forgets to include some key ingredients LOL. on purpose of course :) I have seen many people on RU-vid attempt to make classic Greek dishes but besides Christine Cushin your stuff is the most authentic :) thank you for sharing these classic Greek recipes.

Lovely... We (in Trinidad and Tobago) use the lentils as peas/beans and boil the rice separately... We add pigtails or salt beef or smoked pork bones to the lentils and let it dry down a bit more...

Hi Dimitra,!! Nice to talk to you! 😊ibtried the lentils recipe on here and it turned out Beautiful,!! Thankyou so much!! Me agapi Poppy kefaloukos

I made today without rice and tastes Yummy as all your dishes Thank You for sharing Dimitra ❤️

Hi Dimitra...long time no see. Got scared when I saw Dad's Fakes soup...thought it was a fake recipe....lol. You have been voted Best Cook for 2019....Happy and Healthy New Year !!!!

Yasoo, Dimitroula mas, from Minneapolis, MN USA. My grandmother would fix faki for the New Year and your recipe of combining lentils and rice is wonderful. May God bless you and your family with peace, prosperity and good health for the New Year. +++

Wow I’ll try this lentils soup tomorrow. In my house I have this tradition of eating Lentils Soup on the first day a the New Year! some people said it suppose to bring prosperity. But I just love a warm bowl a soup on a cold day!

Thanks for the recipe! I've never had lentils before, but my daughter says she loves them so this is the recipe I'm going to try!❤

looks delicious ! Happy New Year, Dimitra.

Hi Dimitra! I learned in Greece, that the lentils were soaked in water, overnight, so that they swelled, and then were drained. The onions and garlic were firs of all very lightly 'blanched', then the cut veggies were added, and finally the lentils, with enough water to cover, oregano, and origano, salt, pepper, bay leaves, vinegar, a tablespoon of tomato puree, and slowly cooked until the lentils started to 'look as if they would burst! I then turned off the gas cooker, and left it until the next day! The flavours had permeated the whole thing, and I just had to warm it up, because, as you know, good food doesn't have to be hot, it should taste good warm, or even cold'!👌✌🏻

Soups always taste better the next day 😀😀 Parmesan cheese goes very well with this😀😀🤗👍

Its soup time!!!ill prepare it. Thank you for the easy recipe!!!🤗

Damn that looks fantastic!

Having been married to a Greek man, I got to see him work his magic in the kitchen. He would make Fakes but he added big chunks of beef to it which really kicked up the recipe a few notches. Sadly, my love passed away before I could get his recipe for this delicious dish. Would you happen to know what kind of beef I should use? I’m thinking probably stewing beef. He also served it with a heaping tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and a dollop of sour cream. Soooo goooood!

bravo!

I've made your lentil soup a few times. It's really good. :)

Super

I thank you and my Goumalatsos’ family thanks you as well.😊

AWESOME. You know there's bound to be favorite dishes and changes to them. Heck yes. I don't remember ever eating lentils! But what is freaking funny is that I seriously have it on my list to buy, because of the store that just started doing deliveries had it on the list (online shopping is influencing). VERY GOOD. GOD BLESS

Just like my mom used to make!

Xronia Polla Koukla Mou to you and your family ! Health and Happiness to you and Yours !

Dimitra love all your recipes, how about lentils with meat, / lamb etc?

Thank you for this simple and cheap recipe! Could I add rice at the beginning?

What kind of olive oil do u use?

Always using your recipe when cooking fakes!

😮🤤

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Happy Birthday to 2020

Where can I find the recipe though to print it. Thanks.

Interestimg..never had rice in mine.. 😉

Looks delicious although I spent 10 minutes trying to figure out what was fake about it 😂 I reread the title lol

A successful first try for me! I winged some items and my husband said it surpassed a restaurant we visited lol A good night, thanks to you!

My mom would put helopites.

😊🙏❤🌹🌲

Lol. Send it to school with the kids. Lol... Great camera , are you using an apple 11?

I've spent the Christmas with an upset stomach , so this is nothing suitable for me... thanks to the date n beer malt bread, I got for a present from my bro

Have this soup on new years eve You will have lots of money next year Then send me some for the tip GOOD LUCK HAPPY NEW YEAR🍾🍸🍸🎇🎉$$$$$$

Looks so much like Indian Dal

I eat that 40 for easter

Pre-boiling is an extra step not needed. On Masterchef i saw an english cook make Aloo Gobi by pre boiling the veg! I also understand some cooks thicken curries with flour!!??? Yuk! Curries dont use thickener except adding few rice to first stages. So this step is not needed. Its much better to give authentic recipe.

Vegans and vegetarians can easily find out what nutrients are needed to remain healthy, thanks.

Ruined it with tomato sauce!