This recipe brings you a fusion of Mediterranean and Arabic culture; originated from Egypt. Soups are one of the most popular meals to keep yourself warm in the colder months, and this recipe is sure to be on the top of your list.

Serves 6 
Preparation and Cooking time: Approx 50 minutes

Lamb Brand Red Lentils 200g

Lamb Brand Ground Black Pepper to taste

Lamb Brand Fine Salt to taste

Lamb Brand Cayenne Pepper (or Chili Powder) ¼ tsp

Onion 1, large and chopped

Celery Sticks 2, diced

Carrot 1, large and diced

Olive Oil 4 tbsp

Fish Stock 1ltr / 4½ cups

Fish Sauce 4 tsp

Bouquet Garni 1 * (or 2 tbsp Mixed Herbs)

White Cod Fillets ½kg, cut into 1” cube

Medium Shrimp ½kg, peeled

Goat Cheese some, for garnish

Croutons for serving

In a medium to large pot heat 2 tbsp of olive oil and add the diced onion, chopped celery sticks and the diced carrot. Sauté for about 10 minutes. In the meantime rinse the red lentils under running water and add it to the pot. Add the fish stock, followed with 2 tsp of fish sauce. Stir well and then add the bouquet garni and season with salt and pepper.

Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until lentils are tender. In a fry pan heat again another 2 tbsp of olive oil and fry the cod fillets from both sides, remove from pan and cook the shrimps well, adding the rest 2 tsp fish sauce, until shrimps become pink in colour. Pat fish with a paper towel to remove any excess oil. Meanwhile process the cooked soup in a food processor and return to pot, adding the fish and shrimps and heat through for another 5 minutes. You can add some more fish stock if soup is too thick. Serve this nice fish soup, topped with some goat cheese and some croutons.

* The bouquet garni French for “garnished bouquet”) is a bundle of herbs usually tied together with a string. The bouquet is cooked with the other ingredients, but is removed before serving. There is no generic recipe for bouquet garni, but most will include parsley, thyme and bay leaf, sometimes may also include basil, rosemary, peppercorns, savory and tarragon. Vegetables such as carrot, celery (leaves or stem), celeriac, leek, onion and parsley root are sometimes included in the bouquet. The bouquet garni can also be bought in form of small sachet, a net, or even like a tea strainer.