Ordubad Style Mung Bean Soup

Drain the mung beans and boil them in a pot filled with water for 15 minutes. This process is done to remove the dark color of the dry mung beans. Drain and wash the mung beans. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a pot. Add the meat to the pot and fry in the oil for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Add the onions to the pot and cook for 5 minutes or until the onions soften.

Add the tomato paste and cook while stirring with a wooden spoon for 1 minute. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the drained mung beans, pour 8 cups of water on top, and bring to a boil.

When it boils, reduce the heat. Cover the pot with a lid. Cook the soup over low heat for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the meat and mung beans are cooked.

Add potatoes, dried plums, and dried mint, and cook until the potatoes are cooked. This soup should be neither too watery nor too thick.