Cumin and Have Some Soup!

A spicy, satisfying and nourishing soup to warm your cockles – and everywhere else!

This is my favourite when it’s cold and dark and I’m hungry but don’t know what to have and there isn’t much in the fridge anyway – you know, that day before shopping day?

Serves 2

It takes about an hour from start to finish.

Ingredients

(All veg, oil and spices are organic, so the peel is left on the carrots and sweet potatoes, if not scrub and peel. All measurements approximate.)

1 Tsp Raw Virgin Coconut Oil

1 Tsp Cumin Seeds

1 Large Onion, sliced thinly

1 Large or 2-3 Small Cloves Garlic, crushed

2 Medium to Large Carrots, scrubbed and sliced

2 Medium to Large Sweet Potatoes, scrubbed and sliced

Half Stick of Celery, scrubbed and sliced

1/3 Cup Orange Lentils, rinsed

1 Vegetable Stock Cube dissolved in approx 600 mls boiling water

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Couple of Splashes Tamari (dark gluten-free soy sauce, a staple in our kitchen)

Fresh Coriander to serve – optional

Method

Melt the oil

Gently toast Cumin Seeds, stirring around so they don’t burn

Ditto Garlic and Onions

Add rest of Vegetables, stir a few times, then add some black pepper

Cover and allow to sweat gently for about 15 mins. stirring once.

Add Lentils, Stock Cube & Water, Tamari.

(Be sure to have enough stock to easily cover the veg as the lentils will soak up some of it)

DON’T BOIL

Simmer very gently on a low heat for about 30 mins. until lentils cooked and vegetables are soft.

Blend as little or as much as you like – We use a stick blender as we like to leave some whole, but the liquid quite thick

Taste and add more pepper if desired.

You’ll notice there is No Salt on the list. This is because the Stock Cube and Tamari already have it in and the soup can be a little salty if you put extra in. Add it at the table once you’ve tasted if need be. (Pink Himalayan is best as it still contains all the minerals and has no added nasties).

Add Fresh Coriander to serve.

Copyright: Chris McGowan