Description
Warming comfort meets Mediterranean simplicity in this red lentil soup, blending aromatic spices with creamy legumes. Hearty and nourishing, each spoonful transports you to sun-drenched kitchens where tradition and flavor dance together.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Cooking Liquid and Fat:
- Olive oil for sauteing
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate flame, gently sautéing chopped onions until they become translucent and softened, approximately 5 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional 60 seconds, allowing aromatic flavors to develop.
- Incorporate diced carrots into the pot, allowing them to soften and release their natural sweetness for roughly 3 minutes.
- Add thoroughly rinsed red lentils, then sprinkle cumin and coriander, stirring to ensure even distribution of spices throughout the mixture.
- Pour vegetable broth into the pot, raising heat to create a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Allow soup to cook uncovered for 20 minutes, periodically checking lentils for tenderness and stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once lentils have reached a soft, creamy consistency and vegetables are perfectly cooked, remove from heat.
- Ladle the warm, fragrant soup into serving bowls, optionally garnishing with freshly chopped herbs for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Rinse lentils thoroughly to remove any debris and reduce potential digestive discomfort.
- Choose low-sodium vegetable broth to control salt content and create a healthier version of the soup.
- Add a splash of lemon juice at the end for a bright, zesty flavor that enhances the earthy lentil taste.
- For a protein boost, top with crumbled feta cheese or roasted pumpkin seeds to make the soup more filling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg