Red lentil soup
This healthy soup can go from your pantry to the table in just 20 minutes. The lentils are cooked with fresh ginger, turmeric, cumin, crushed coriander seeds and cayenne, lending Indian flavors. The soup is then briefly pulsed. A dash of coconut milk and a smattering of fresh cilantro complete the picture.
About the lentils — despite their name they’re not actually red, but rather a coral pink color. They turn an ochre yellow when cooked, and this is accentuated by the addition of turmeric. Earthy tones for an earthy soup. And by the way, it’s vegan.
The quantities below will serve 2 people as a main course and 3 as a starter.
1 cup (200 g) red lentils
3 cups (75 cl) water
1 small knob of ginger
1 tsp. ground turmeric
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. crushed coriander seeds
1 small dried cayenne pepper or 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp. salt, or more to taste
1/2 cup (10 cl) coconut milk
a few sprigs fresh cilantro
Rinse the lentils through a sieve. Transfer to a pot. Add the water. Bring to a simmer.
While the lentils are heating, slice two rounds of ginger. No need to peel.
Spoon away the foam that forms on top of the lentils. Now add the ginger slices, turmeric, cumin and crushed coriander seeds. Crush the cayenne pepper and add.
Cook over merdium-low heat for about 10 minutes, until most of the water has been absorbed and the soup looks like a thick porridge. Taste to make sure the lentils are tender. Add the salt, then taste again and add a bit more as necessary.
Remove the soup from the heat. Pulse briefly with an immersion blender — or you can pulse briefly in a countertop blender and transfer the soup back into the pot.
Reheat gently. Stir in the coconut milk, reserving a little for decoration. If the soup seems too thick, add a little more water.
Ladle into bowls. Swirl on a spoonful of coconut milk and decorate with the fresh cilantro. Serve piping hot. Serves 2-3.
Note: This soup may be made in advance, but it will thicken as it cools. Simply add a little water to thin when you reheat it.
