Vospapour

Vospapour or vospabour is a hearty Armenian lentil soup. There are numerous versions of this soup; nevertheless, it is usually made with brown lentils cooked in water or broth with chickpeas, carrots, celery stalks, and coarse bulgur, simmered until all ingredients are tender and thoroughly cooked. The soup is typically flavored with a mixture of fried onions, mint, parsley, and cumin. Other variations of Armenian lentil soup contain interesting spices, including cayenne pepper and cinnamon, and ingredients such as tomatoes, eggplants, or even dried fruits, especially dried apricots, which are symbolic of this country and widely used in Armenian cuisine. In Armenia, lentil soup is often topped with freshly chopped herbs and a dollop of yogurt or sour cream, while some variations call for the addition of meat, such as lean hamburger or sirloin steak.