Spiced Lentil Soup
I grew up eating this delicious soup often. I am half-Iraqi, and so Mediterranean food featured heavily in the type of food I ate growing up and in my adult life. This soup is really thick and warming, and is the perfect light dinner to have in the colder months! It makes a really big batch too, so there’s enough to feed my family of 4, plus there are plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day, including for warming up and popping into thermoses for kids’ school lunches.
Ingredients:
500g red lentils, soaked in filtered water for at least 2 hours, then drained and rinsed
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (my pick is Cobram Estate)
1 onion, peeled and diced
2 potatoes, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 heaped tsp curry powder
1 tsp panch puran (this is an Indian spice mix which I purchased from my local Indian grocer. It is a mix of cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds and fennel seeds and other spices. If you do not have this, just replace with extra curry powder)
Handful of jasmine rice
Sea salt, to taste
Apple cider vinegar, to taste
1.5L filtered water, extra (this is for cooking the soup)
Method:
Into a large pot on medium heat, add the olive oil and onion. Cook for a few minutes, stirring now and then, until the onion is starting to caramelise.
Add the diced potatoes and carrots, and continue to fry for a few more minutes.
Add the curry powder and panch puran (if using, otherwise extra curry powder) and stir until fragrant.
Add the water, drained and rinsed lentils, rice, and season with a little salt (you can add more later, if needed).
Bring up to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir occasionally.
Simmer for around 30 minutes, or until the soup is a thick soupy consistency. Season with more salt if needed, and also the apple cider vinegar.
Enjoy!
About Magnolia Naturopathy
Magnolia Naturopathy is owned and operated by Brisbane naturopath and herbalist Iwa Brown. At Magnolia Naturopathy, we offer online telehealth naturopathy consultations to assist our clients all over Australia to reach their health goals. Contact us here to find out more, or book your online telehealth naturopathy appointment here.
