FULL RECIPE FOR THE SULEYMANIYE SOUPIngredients For the meatballs (kfte): 1/4 cup ince bulgur 1/4 cup hot water 1 onion tbsp. dried coriander tbsp. ground black pepper tbsp. salt 1 tbsp pepper paste 400 g ground beef For the soup 1 small potato 1 carrot 1 small squash 100 g baby spinach 1 tbsp tomato paste 2 garlic cloves 100 g butter 1/3 cup olive oil 2 tbsp flour tbsp. salt 6 cup (1 L) water Directions Place cup of fine bulgur into a bowl, pour cup of hot water over it and cover the bowl with a lid; set the bulgur aside for 8 to 10 minutes Meanwhile, finely grate the onion into a large bowl Combine tbsp. of dried coriander, tbsp. of salt, and tbsp. of ground black pepper in a large bowl Then, add the softened bulgur, 1 tbsp of pepper paste and the ground beef into the same bowl and knead the ingredients for 8 to 10 minutes or until the mixture develops a dough-like plasticity Flatten the mixtures surface to keep it soft and moist Spread 2 tbsp of flour over a large plate Using the spiced bulgur & meat mixture, form 1 cm-wide balls and lightly coat the these balls with flour to keep their forms stable Call the youth for this long but fun process to encourage them cooking helping, and chattering in tune!! (Traditionally, women in the neighborhood come together and do this work while they are chatting, joking, and enjoying the process) Rock the plate from time to time to coat the balls with flour, thoroughly The hard work is done easily if it is shared with the people you love!! PREPARING THE VEGETABLES Peel and wash the potato and grate it into a bowl. Wash, peel, and grate a carrot into the bowl Wash and grate one squash and add into the bowl Wash and drain the baby spinach, place a separate bowl, then set aside COOKING Set the stove to medium-high heat Place 100 g butter into a medium-sized pot Add 1/3 cup of olive oil to prevent browning the butter Add the minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp of flour Briskly stir the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes When the mixture turns to a beige/yellow colour, add the grated vegetables and stir for 1 to 2 minutes Dissolve 1 tbsp of tomato paste in 6 cups of water and add into the pot. Then, bring the mixture to a boil on medium-high heat Note: Traditionally, Suleymaniye soup also includes some lentil. If you would like to add the lentil, boil cup of lentil and 2 cups of water in a separate sauce pan and add into the soup mixture before adding the meatballs Once the mixture start to boil, add tbsp. of salt and the tiny bulgur & meatballs into the soup Make sure, the meatballs (kfte) are individually submerged in the boiling water to keep their form Stir the mixture gently to prevent the balls from sticking to each other Then, bring the mixture to a boil once again while stirring occasionally Once the soup has boiled, lower the heat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes Finally, add the baby spinach and give it a good stir and turn off the heat The Suleymaniye Soup is ready to be served SERVING Serve the Suleymaniye Soup hot and fresh!! It nestles the colour, flavour, and nutrients of multiple vegetables, grains, spices, and beef! This traditional soup is a product of several centuries of culinary art and healthy diet practices Simply enjoy eating healthy AND delicious food!! Bon Appetite! Best way to say thanks you; SUBSCRIBE