Trahanas soup recipe

Trahanas soup (trahanosoupa, traxanas soupa, Τραχανόσουπα) is a soup made with trahana, a pebble-shaped grain product made of one of semolina, wheat flour, bulgur, or cracked wheat. Milk, buttermilk, or yogurt is mixed into the flour to form a thick mass. Some recipes include egg.

This recipe uses the sour variant of trahana. Trahana can be used in many dishes, even to replace bread crumbs in meatballs. This soup is one of the most basic ways to use trahana.

The versatility of trahana allows it to be flavoured however you wish, even to make desserts.

Sour trahanas soup

2 tbsp.   | extra virgin olive oil
1         | onion, minced OR 2-3 tbsp. dried minced onion
0.25 tsp. | crushed red pepper / red pepper flakes
1.50 cup  | sour trahana
8 cup     | water OR vegetable stock OR chicken stock
0.50 tsp. | salt (kosher OR sea salt)
0.25 tsp. | black pepper, ground
3 tbsp.   | lemon juice, strained
1 oz.     | feta cheese, crumbled, per serving (at minimum)
          | extra virgin olive oil, drizzled (optional)
          | yogurt (optional)
          | mint OR parsley OR dill, fresh, chopped (optional)
          | dried mint OR dried parsley OR dried dill (optional)

• Bring oil to at least 300F over medium heat in large saucepan (4-6 litres).
• If using fresh onion, add onion and a pinch of salt and brown. If using dried onion, add to oil together with red pepper flakes and stir for about 30 seconds.
• Add trahana and stir for about one minute.
• Add water or stock and bring to a boil.
• Add salt and pepper. Add any dried herbs you wish to use.
• Adjust heat to a controlled simmer.
• Stir regularly, scraping bottom of pan, until trahana is tender and soup is slightly thickened. This should take about 40 minutes.
• Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
• Spoon into bowls and top with feta cheese.
• Optionally garnish with a drizzle of oil.
• Optionally garnish with yogurt and fresh herbs.

Notes

• If adding fresh garlic, follow usual procedures for browning during onion browning stage. Add dried minced garlic together with dried minced onion and red pepper flakes.
• 0.5 tsp. dried parsley worked well. Try more.