Iran · Iran

Ash-e Reshteh

A thick Persian herb, bean and noodle soup finished with kashk, fried onion and dried mint.

110 minutes · 6 servings · Moderate

Ash-e Reshteh

Ash-e Reshteh is the more ceremonial cousin of ash reshteh, thickened with legumes and herbs and finished with kashk rather than a clear broth. It is served at gatherings where a lighter soup would not register, and the fried onion and dried mint on top are not optional. Kashk itself is a whey sauce strained overnight, and making it from scratch is the part most cooks skip.

Ingredients

  • dried kidney beans, soaked150 g
  • dried green lentils80 g
  • dried chickpeas, soaked80 g
  • fresh spinach, chopped250 g
  • fresh parsley, chopped100 g
  • fresh cilantro, chopped60 g
  • fresh chives, chopped30 g
  • onion, sliced200 g
  • Persian reshteh noodles120 g
  • ground turmeric2 g
  • salt6 g
  • dried mint3 g
  • kashk (or thick yogurt)80 g

Directions

  1. 1

    Simmer kidney beans, chickpeas and lentils together until tender; drain.

    Legumes mash easily with a fork.
  2. 2

    Soften onion in oil with turmeric, then stir in spinach, parsley, cilantro and chives until wilted.

    Greens have collapsed and released liquid.
  3. 3

    Add the cooked legumes, water, salt and pepper and simmer until thick.

    Soup is thick enough to coat a spoon.
  4. 4

    Stir in the reshteh noodles and simmer until tender.

    Noodles are tender with no chalky center.
  5. 5

    Top bowls with fried onion, dried mint bloomed in oil and a drizzle of kashk.

    Toppings are aromatic and slightly crisp. Refrigerate any leftover soup within 2 hours at 4°C or below; consume within 24 hours.

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