Feel the warmth
There is something quite lustful about returning home on a blustery day and warming up your little tummy with a big bowl of thick, spicy soup. It brings a smile to the inner you and makes huggers of us all.
This is an easy dish and low priced so there is precious little excuse for not doing it. I have made this with red lentils since that was what was in the cupboard. Likewise, the vegetables chosen are what happened to be in the fridge. So, this is very much a larder recipe – vary it according to what you have to hand. (Note, some types of lentils might need to be prepared in advance!)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ground nut oil
- 1 large onion
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 small lump ginger
- 1 cup red lentils
- 4 cups chicken stock (or veggie stock if you prefer)
- 1 chilli
- 1 tablespoon cumin seed
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 1 stick celery, diced
- 1 cup peas
- 1 cup chopped coriander
- Salt and black pepper
In a large heavy saucepan, heat the oil and gently fry the spices. Make sure they do not burn!
Add finely chopped onion, garlic, ginger and chilli and cook till the onion is just turning colour – do not brown it too much as that wont work as well; wrong taste.
Stir in the lentils, carrots, celery and stock. Bring to the boil and turn down to simmer till the lentils are properly cooked. You might need to add more stock if it is too thick.
Add the peas and the coriander and cook for a couple of minutes more.
Salt and pepper to taste and serve.
If you want it spicier, increase the spice levels and you might want to drizzle some chilli oil over the bowls of soup as you serve them.
