A silky, tangy, and comforting Turkish soup made with thin vermicelli and a traditional yogurt-egg seasoning. Topped with fragrant mint butter.
Servings 6people
Course Soup
Cuisine Turkish
Ingredients
½cupThin vermicelli
2tbspButter
1tspTomato paste
1tspRed pepper paste
8cupsHot water
1tspSalt
For the Yogurt Seasoning (Terbiye)
1largeEgg
2tbspAll-purpose flour
½cupPlain yogurt
2clovesGarlic, minced
For the Topping
1tbspButter
1tspDried mint
Equipment
Medium Soup Pot: For even simmering and easy stirring.
Whisk: Absolutely essential for preparing the yogurt seasoning and tempering it into the soup.
Small Skillet: For preparing that iconic sizzling mint and butter topping.
Mixing Bowl: To whisk together the yogurt, egg yolk, and lemon juice.
Method
Melt 2 tbsp of butter in a deep pot. Add the vermicelli and sauté over medium heat until they turn slightly golden.
Stir in the tomato and pepper pastes. Sauté for another minute until the smell of the paste is released.
Pour in the hot water. Let it cook over medium heat until the vermicelli is soft and tender.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the yogurt, egg, flour, and minced garlic until the mixture is perfectly smooth with no lumps.
To prevent the yogurt from curdling, take one ladle of the hot soup liquid and slowly whisk it into the yogurt mixture. This equalizes the temperature.
Slowly pour the tempered seasoning into the pot while stirring the soup constantly.
Let the soup simmer for another 3–5 minutes as it starts to thicken and bubble. Add salt at the very end to keep the texture smooth.
In a small pan, melt the remaining butter and add the dried mint. As soon as it sizzles and turns fragrant, drizzle it over the soup.
Ladle into bowls and serve hot with a wedge of lemon on the side.