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1
In a dutch oven, saute' onions in 3 Tbs oil until golden; stir in turmeric through pepper. Place drained chickpeas, kidney and navy beans in the pot with the onions and add 2 1/2 qts water. Bring to a boil, cover, turn heat to low and let simmer 40 minutes.
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2
Add lentils and bouillon, cover again and let simmer 40 more minutes.
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3
Add spinach through dillweed and cook 20 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
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4
As soon as spinach and herbs are added to the soup, begin the meat garnish: In a medium saucepan, saute beef through garlic in 1 Tbs oil until beef is browned and onion is soft. Add 1/2 cup water and the split peas, cover and cook 20 minutes over low heat.
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5
Taste the soup (not the meat garnish), adjust the seasonings and add more water if too thick. Add noodles. Stir a bit of the soup liquid into the flour or cornstarch to dissolve, then stir solution back into the soup. Cook 10-12 minutes until noodles are done.
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6
Dissolve the saffron in 1 Tbs hot water and combine with tomato paste and 1/4 tsp salt; stir into the meat garnish (not the soup). Cover and simmer 10 minutes more.
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7
Stir some of the soup (not the meat garnish) into the 1/2 cup sour cream, then stir this mixture back into the soup (not the garnish). Stir in vinegar and cook a minute to heat through.
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8
Pour soup into 4 large soup bowls. Add a quarter of the meat garnish to each bowl but do not stir in; on top of each, float a 1/2-Tbsp dollop of sour cream; sprinkle with mint and serve.
