Turkish Spinach Soup

4 servings

60 minutes

Turkish spinach soup is a fragrant and nutritious dish with roots deep in Turkish cuisine. It combines the freshness of spinach, the richness of tomatoes, and the tenderness of minced meat to create an amazing balance of flavors. The addition of rice gives the soup a rich texture, while carrots add a slight sweetness. Olive oil, traditionally used in Turkish dishes, adds smoothness and enriches its taste. This dish is perfect for cold evenings, warming and energizing you. Spinach soup can be served with flatbreads or fresh bread, and spices like black and red pepper add hints of spiciness. In Turkey, it is often prepared in families as part of everyday meals, appreciated for its nutrition and rich flavor.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 366.3
• Proteins: 13.6g
• Fats: 21.4g
• Carbohydrates: 30.3g

Ingredients

• Fresh spinach leaves: 500 g
• Olive oil: 3 tbsp
• Onion: 1 head
• Tomatoes: 4 pc
• Carrot: 1 pc
• Ground meat: 150 g
• Tomato paste: 1 tbsp
• Rice: 0.5 glass
• Ground black pepper: to taste
• Red chili pepper: to taste
• Salt: to taste

Cooking steps

1. It's better to prepare the vegetables in advance: finely chop the onion; wash and slightly squeeze the spinach leaves, then chop; peel the tomatoes and chop them finely; slice the carrot into rounds.

   Required ingredients:

   • Onion: 1 head
   • Fresh spinach leaves: 500 g
   • Tomatoes: 4 pieces
   • Carrot: 1 piece

2. In a pot, sauté the onion in olive oil until golden, then add carrot, rice, and minced meat. Simmer for 3-5 minutes on low heat, stirring constantly.

   Required ingredients:

   • Olive oil: 3 tablespoons
   • Onion: 1 head
   • Carrot: 1 piece
   • Rice: 0.5 glass
   • Ground meat: 150 g

3. Gradually add spinach leaves until they fill about 2/3 of the pot. Continue stirring, increase the heat, cover with a lid, and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Fresh spinach leaves: 500 g

4. Add tomatoes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Tomatoes: 4 pieces

5. Dissolve tomato paste in a large glass and pour it into the pot; add more water if it seems insufficient.

   Required ingredients:

   • Tomato paste: 1 tablespoon

6. Season to taste. Cover and cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Ground black pepper:  to taste
   • Red chili pepper:  to taste
   • Salt:  to taste

7. The soup should boil well. Before removing from heat, check the readiness by the state of the rice and carrots, and also add salt and pepper to taste.

   Required ingredients:

   • Rice: 0.5 glass
   • Carrot: 1 piece
   • Ground black pepper:  to taste
   • Red chili pepper:  to taste
   • Salt:  to taste