Thursday 28 February 2013

Mark's Multi-Lentil Soup

Here's a soup idea for those of you (like us) currently experiencing some very cold temperatures. In weather like this a cold sandwich for lunch really doesn't hit the spot: you need something hot. This soup is ridiculously easy to make and uses only store-cupboard ingredients.

Mark's Multi-Lentil Soup


Ingredients   (Makes 2 generous or 4 small servings)
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
Approx 200g dried lentils - of 4 or 5 types (this time I used Red Lentils, Yellow Lentils, Mung-beans and Green Split Peas). If you want to use larger pulses, such as beans, you may have to soak and pre-cook them.
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp yellow Mustard seed
1 tsp Fennel seed
Half tsp ground Cumin
Half tsp Chilli flakes
Approx 1 litre water (or stock if you have some available)
Approx 1 tbsp vegetable oil
(Note: use any spices you fancy, or have to hand, adjusting to taste!)


Method
Cook the onion in the oil, over a low heat, in a large saucepan
When the onion is translucent but not brown, add all the remaining ingredients
Bring the pan to the boil, stir well, cover, and then let it simmer for about an hour
The various types of lentils etc will perform differently - some will fall completely, some will remain fairly firm - but this is what you want, different textures
After an hour, check that all the lentils are cooked. If not, simmer them for a bit longer
Add some more water / stock if necessary to achieve a consistency that suits you (I wanted mine to be quite thick and chunky)
A few minutes before serving, season the soup. Note: do not add salt early in the cooking time, because this will prevent the lentils softening properly
If desired, blend the soup to a smooth consistency, otherwise leave it as it is
Serve with crusty bread!


Making this nutritious, healthy, warming soup is almost as easy as opening a can, but the end result is 100 times nicer!

6 comments:

  1. It's been sunny but cold here today, so soup would be a very welcome lunch.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gosh that does look good. The temps here have been a bit cooler perhaps I will try this soon

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh yes! I love Lentil soup but have never thought of making it with different types - another one to go on the soup list.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love it with a drizzele of vinegar! Soups do indeed seem to be the order of the day.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm partial to a bowl of homemade soup Mark and this recipe certainly looks like its a winner. I'm going to print it off and keep it for the coming colder days...but we are heading for 29C degrees so it's not for today! ;D

    Don't think I like the sound of those biting winds! Brr...hopefully they've moved on now. Enjoy your weekend :)

    p.s. nearly forgot...I saw your note on spammers and I have to agree they are a pain. I'm receiving an ever increasing amount daily but didn't know I could put the comment Moderation on older posts. See you are so t'elligent and don't forget I told you so! :D

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking time to leave me a comment! Please note that Comment Moderation is enabled for older posts.