There are always loads of recipes I'd like to try but lose them before I do. This is where I can record recipes I find interesting and keep notes on my experiments with them.

I have a system that I've adopted for working through recipes:

1 - New recipes are saved to the Experimental Mouffette and is labeled : Untested
2 - As I'm working out the changes I'd like to make (if any) it is labeled : Testing
3 - Once I think I've got the correct formula it is labeled : Test 1
4 - IF I am able to reproduce the effect a second time it is labeled : Test 2 - if I am not able to reproduce the effect, it remains Test 1
5 - The same process as step 4 is used to graduate it to Test 3
6 - Once I have been able to reproduce the effect successfully 3 times, it graduates to my main blog, La Mouffette Gourmande

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Thursday, November 13, 2025

Persian Noodle Soup (Ash Reshteh) - Untested


2 Tbsps. olive oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 long red chili OR green serrano chile, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 1/2 cups / 2 liters good-tasting vegetable stock/broth or water
100 g / 3.5 oz French lentils, green lentils, yellow split peas or brown lentils
one 14-ounce can chickpeas, or equivalent from dried, rinse if using canned
2 cups / 350g cooked cranberry beans or borlotti beans
2 teaspoons fine grain sea salt, or to taste
120 g thin egg noodles, linguine, or spaghetti, fresh or dried
3 1/2 oz / 100g / one large bundle fresh spinach leaves, trimmed and finely shredded
1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
juice of one lime, plus more to tasted
Toppings:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup sour cream, creme fraiche, full fat yogurt or liquid kashk
50 g / scant 2 ounces of toasted, chopped walnuts
  1. Heat the oil in a large, thick-bottomed soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and the chile and cook until they soften, 8 minutes or so. Add the spices and cook for another thirty seconds, just long enough for them to toast a bit, then stir in the broth/stock. Bring to a boil and add the lentils (or split peas) to the pot. Cook until they are just tender, about 25 minutes. Stir in the cooked chickpeas and cranberry (or borlotti) beans and the salt. Bring to a simmer.
  2. In the meantime, prepare the toppings. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large frying pan over medium heat along with a couple big pinches of salt. Cook the onion, stirring occasionally, until golden and deeply caramelized (see above photos for color reference), 8 - 10+ minutes. Set aside with the sour cream and chopped walnuts.
  3. A few minutes before you're ready to eat, add the noodles to the simmering soup and cook until al dente. Stir in the spinach, and cilantro and dill. Add a big squeeze of lime to the pot or serve wedges along with each bowl of soup. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking, adding more salt if needed.
  4. Serve right away, each bowl topped with a big spoonful of caramelized onions, some sour cream, and a sprinkling of walnuts.

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