Iraqi Pomegranate Soup - (Shorbat Rumman)

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== Ingredients ==
* 8 cups water
* 1 lb lamb shanks (or other lesser cuts of lamb and bone)
* ½ cup yellow split peas
* 1 cup chopped onion
* 3 beets with green tops
* ½ cup rice
* 1 bunch scallions sliced well down into the green
* 2 tbsp sugar
* 3 tbsp lime juice
* ½ cup parsley
* 2 tbsp pomegranate concentrate - (called "molasses" or "paste") Or substitute 1 cup pomegranate juice made by rolling an uncut fresh pomegranate hard underfoot on the floor, then making an incision and "squeezing" it over a juicer.
* ¼ cup finely-chopped cilantro
* 2 cup finely-chopped spinach
=== Garnish ===
* 1 tbsp dried mint crumbled, mixed with
* ¼ tsp cinnamon and also
* ¼ tsp freshly-ground black pepper
== Directions ==
# Bring the water to a boil in a large pot, then stir in the lamb, split peas, and onion.
# Skim where necessary, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for an hour.
# In the meantime, wash the beet tops and spinach, slice finely and chop, wrap in paper towels, and crisp until needed.
# Also peel the beets and chop into a small dice.
# Also prepare the mint/cinnamon/pepper garnish in a separate bowl.
# When the lamb broth is ready, add the beets and rice and cook another 30 minutes.
# Pick out the lamb - cut away the bones and fat, shred the meat, and return to the pot.
# Add the scallions, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, parsley, and either the pomegranate concentrate or the pomegranate juice.
# Simmer for 10 minutes.
# When ready to serve, bring the soup to a boil and stir in the beet greens and spinach.
# Let wilt, while stirring for a minute or two, then stir in cilantro, more lime juice, as needed, and seasonings.
# Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with the mint/cinnamon/pepper topping.
# Serve hot as a meal to 6 people, with lots of bread on the side.
== Notes ==
Category:Iraqi Soups
Category:Pomegranate juice Recipes
Category:Beet Recipes
Category:Beet greens Recipes
Category:Lime juice Recipes
Category:Spinach Recipes
Category:Rice Recipes
Category:Lamb Recipes
Category:Dal Recipes
Category:Recipes that need photos