Tomato Lentil and Vegetable Soup with fresh herbs #Blog

Emma Shawcross
18th June 2019

We may be getting sick of the rainy days but this soup brings sunshine flavours, to your dinner table. You can eat at any time, it is low fat, healthy and hearty. With small adaption, it can be Vegan and vegetarian if you wish

Put a dash of  olive oil into a deep pan (must be able to hold over 2 litres  liquid)

Add the onion, carrot and celery, plus the black pepper and a pinch of the chopped herbs.

Cover with a lid and cook on a low heat for 5 minutes until the onions have softened but are not brown.

Add in the garlic, ginger, cumin and cayenne pepper

Turn the heat up and fry for a few  more minute.

Then add in the tinned tomatoes, lentils, water or stock and some salt and pepper. Bring the lot to a boil.

Cover  with a lid and then turn down to a simmer (gentle boil ) for 30 minutes until the lentils are really soft. Stir occasionally.

Then uncover and keep cooking  to let the liquid reduce to required thickness.

When it is to the thickness you require , squeeze in the juice of 1 lemon or lime  and add more water if you think the soup is looking too thick.

Take off the heat

When hot stir in about 4 hand fulls of baby washed spinach it will wilt in but not over cook

Spoon  soup into bowls and serve  with fresh herbs and grated cheese if you wish

Eat and enjoy

Recipe Info

Serves

4

Serving Suggestions

Delicious with a crusty roll, and topped with herbs and cheese.

Ingredients

100 ml of olive oil
1 onion diced
2 mediums size carrots diced
2 sticks of peeled celery diced
3 garlic cloves crushed or grated
4 cm ginger grated
Desert spoon of chilly flakes (optimal)
1 tablespoon cumin ground
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
400 g tin chopped tomatoes or roasted tomatoes just pop them in the oven at 180 till soft and roasted down
200 g dried red lentils
1 litre water or vegetable stock or chicken stock if you are not veggie
Salt and pepper
Juice of 1 lemon or lime
2 tablespoons fresh parsley and Thyme and fresh oregano chopped
Fresh spinach
Grated cheese

Equipment

Chopping board
Knife
Large deep pan able to hold over 2 liters of liquid
Pan lid
Wooden spoon
Sieve
Soup bowls