Cool Lentil Soup With Melon

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Grains	Spanish	Med01	6	Servings

INGREDIENTS

4	T	Olive oil
2		Spanish onions, chopped 1/4"
		dice
4		Garlic cloves, peeled
		sliced
2	t	Ground cumin
1/2	t	Saffron
2		Celery stalks, thinly sliced
1/2		Ripe cantaloupe, seeded
		peeled
		And chopped into 1/2" dice
3/4	lb	Lentils
8	c	Water
		Salt, to taste
		Freshly-ground black pepper
		to taste
		=== GARNISH ===
1/2		Ripe cantaloupe, seeded
		peeled
		And chopped into 1/2" dice
2	T	Chopped cilantro

INSTRUCTIONS

In a 4-quart saucepan, heat olive oil until smoking. Add onions,
garlic, cumin, saffron and celery and cook until soft and golden
brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Add melon, lentils and water and bring
to a boil. Boil 10 minutes, lower heat and simmer until lentils are
very tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Allow to cool. Place in blender and
puree until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and chill.
Check for seasoning right before serving. Pour into deep bowls and
garnish with melon and cilantro. This recipe yields 6 servings.  Recipe
Source: MEDITERRANEAN MARIO with Mario Batali From the TV FOOD  NETWORK
- (Show # ME-1B08 broadcast 06-03-1998) Downloaded from their  Web-Site
- http://www.foodtv.com  Formatted for MasterCook by Joe Comiskey, aka
MR MAD -  jpmd44a@prodigy.com -or- MAD-SQUAD@prodigy.net  06-08-1998
Recipe by: Mario Batali  Converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.

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Nutrition (calculated from recipe ingredients) ---------------------------------------------- Calories: 174 Calories From Fat: 85 Total Fat: 9.6g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 79.5mg Potassium: 485.1mg Carbohydrates: 17.1g Fiber: 5.8g Sugar: 4.6g Protein: 6.3g