Light Yoghurt & Freekeh Soup

Ingredients

• 2 small pack yoghurt (about 220 grams) - زبادي
• 1 egg - بيضة
• 2 tablespoon butter (OR olive oil) - زبدة
• 3 cup chicken broth/stock - مرقة دجاج
• 1 onion (diced) - بصلة
• 2 garlic clove (minced) - فص ثوم
• 2 piece mastic / mesteka - مستكة
• 2 stem celery (finely chopped including leaves) - كرفس افرنجي
• 1/2 cup freekeh - فريك
• salt and pepper - ملح و فلفل
• 1 tablespoon dried mint (for garnish) - نعناع مجفف/ ناشف

Step by step

1. In a large soup pot, melt the butter and add the onions. Cook the onions until translucent (about 7 minutes) then add the garlic, celery and mastic along with some salt and pepper.
2. Stir in the freekeh, then add hot chicken broth. As soon as it boils, put the heat down, cover and let it simmer until freekeh is cooked (about 20 minutes).
3. In the meantime, stir egg with yoghurt until smooth and well integrated.
4. Before adding the yoghurt mixture to the soup, add a little hot soup to the yoghurt mix to warm it. This is done mainly to avoid the room temperature yoghurt from splitting when hit with the hot soup. When you feel the yoghurt has warmed, add it confidently to the rest of the soup.
5. Let it simmer for another 3 minutes until the egg cooks. Sprinkle some dry mint and serve hot.