Description
This Simple Spiced Red Lentil Soup is a comforting and nutritious dish packed with warm spices and fresh vegetables. Perfect for a cozy meal, it combines red lentils with aromatic cumin, turmeric, and coriander, simmered to perfection in a flavorful vegetable broth. Garnished with fresh parsley and a splash of lemon juice, this soup offers a delightful balance of flavors and is both hearty and healthy.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 1 cup Red Lentils (rinsed and cleaned)
- 1 medium Onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 medium Carrot (diced)
- 1 stalk Celery (diced)
- 4 cups Vegetable Broth (quality broth enhances flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
- Fresh Parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Rinse Lentils: Rinse the red lentils thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear to remove any impurities and excess starch.
- Sauté Onions: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent, developing a sweet base flavor.
- Add Garlic: Incorporate the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to release its aroma without burning.
- Cook Vegetables: Add diced carrot and celery to the pot, cooking for another 5 minutes to soften the vegetables and enhance their sweetness.
- Add Lentils: Stir in the rinsed red lentils, mixing well to combine with the sautéed vegetables.
- Pour Broth: Pour in the vegetable broth, ensuring all ingredients are fully submerged for even cooking.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle cumin, turmeric, and coriander powder over the soup and stir well to blend the spices evenly throughout the mixture.
- Season: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as desired; then bring the soup to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 20-25 minutes until the lentils are tender and the flavors meld.
- Add Lemon Juice: Once the lentils are soft, stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a vibrant, fresh finish.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, you can blend part or all of the soup using an immersion blender before adding the lemon juice.
- If vegetable broth is not available, water with added spices can be used but the flavor will be milder.
- Adjust the spices according to your heat preference; a pinch of chili powder or cayenne can add a nice kick.
- This soup keeps well in the refrigerator for 3 days and can be frozen for up to 1 month.
