Four Corners Lentil Soup

Adapted from My New Roots by Sarah Britton

I use an immersion blender so the soup turns out smooth and creamy.  If you don’t have an immersion blender and don’t want to use a Vitamix or food processor, you’ll need to mince or chop everything really small.

Serves 8

Ingredients

  • 2 tbl coconut oil or olive oil
  • 3 large onions or leeks, white and pale-green parts only, chopped or sliced
  • 10 garlic cloves, chopped or minced
  • 2 tbls chopped or minced fresh ginger
  • Sea salt
  • 2 tbls ground cumin
  • 1/2 teas. cayenne pepper
  • 2 (15-ounce ) can whole or diced tomatoes 
  • 1 small organic lemon, sliced
  • 2 cups red lentils, picked over and rinsed very well 
  • 8 cups vegetable broth
  • Pure maple syrup 
  • Fresh cilantro leaves, sliced spring onions, or flat-leaf parsley leaves, for garnish

Preparation

  1. Heat the oil in a large pot or dutch oven, add the onions, garlic, and ginger, and sauté for 5 minutes, until soft. Add a few pinches of salt, the cumin, and the cayenne, and stir for another minute or so, until fragrant
  2. Add the tomatoes, 6 slices of lemon, and the lentils. Then add the vegetable broth and stir well. Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 50 minutes, until the lentils are soft. Add a squirt of maple syrup to balance the flavor, if desired.
  3. Remove the lemon slices and puree with an immersion blender or carefully pour in a Vitamix or food processor if desired.
  4. Serve hot, garnished with the cilantro, spring onions, or parsley, and topped with a slice of lemon.

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Photo by Sarah Britton

Carolee WalkerComment