spicy tomato and lentil soup

When it's dank and grey outside and the four layers of sweaters aren't enough to keep out the chill, my favourite way to warm up is soup. Making soup will have you in the kitchen for at least 20 minutes, surrounded by steaming vegetables and bubbling stock. This type of heat sinks into your pores and is marvellous to take the edge off. It comes second only to eating soup. Hot soup is a perfect second wave attack against the seeping cold, which clings to your organs and frosts over your bones.

This soup is smooth and soul-reviving and sure to warm up your day. The recipe is for about 3--4 servings, but it's pretty adaptable, depending on what you're after.

ingredients:

1 tbsp. olive oil
1 small red onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 potato, chopped
1 tsp. crushed chillies
1 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
3/4 l. stock (I've used a combination of kidney bean water and bouillon)
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1/2 c. red lentils
salt and pepper to taste
a few leaves of parsely to garnish

method:

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add the onions and garlic heat until soft. Add the potatoes and spices and cook for about 5 minutes. If you're using bouillon powder or a stock cube, add this with the potato and spices and stir it in until it's both evenly coated the vegetables and a bit dissolved.

Add your stock and bring to the boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes, until potatoes are properly soft. Stir in your tomatoes and half the lentils lentils. Return to the boil and the reduce again and allow to simmer for at least 15 minutes. Blitz through with a hand blender, or pass through a food processor. About 10--20 minutes before you want to eat, add the other half of the lentils and let simmer.

Serve, garnished with parsley, with hunks of fresh warmed bread.

Comments

[kamagra]

I really enjoy any kind of meal or beverage made with tomato.

[Anna]

Ooh, yum, thanks for that! I really enjoy reading and trying out your recipes, I tend to get stuck in such a rut with what I cook.

[katie m.]

Yum! I have to say your beer bread recipe has become legend in my family. I made it at Christmas -- now everyone loves it and makes it themselves. It's so easy and good!!