Warming Red Lentil Soup
We are in the middle of winter. Our bodies cope with immense cold from the outside most days and nights. It is essential to eat foods that are warming and supporting to maintain efficient function. After all, you don’t want to deal with a scratchy throat and runny nose like everybody else in the office. This red lentil soup does both, it nourishes your body and builds up your immune system. This is a great dish to eat after a day of skiing or spending time outside in the snow.
Ingredients
1 big yellow Onion (or 2 small onions) – cut into small pieces
1 cup Red Lentils
1 cup Water
¾ cup of Tomato Sauce
Juice of ½ Lemon
1 Tsp brown Sugar
1 medium Tomato
1 medium Carrot – cut into small pieces
½ cup of greek yoghurt (optional)
Herbs
3 Tbsp Sesame Oil
3 Tbsp chopped fresh Cilantro
1 Tsp dry Thyme
1 Tsp Cumin
One small piece of fresh Ginger – cut into small pieces
½ Tsp dry red Chili (use more or less – depending on how hot you like it)
Salt to taste
How to make it
Rinse the red lentils thoroughly with water and watch out for any pebbles or stones that don’t belong in there. Drain lentils in a sieve.
Take a medium size pot and heat up the sesame oil. Add onions, thyme, ginger and cumin and fry in medium heat until the onions are golden and soft. Pour in the red lentils, water, tomato sauce and sliced carrot. Bring to a gentle boil. The soup needs to boil (at low heat) between 20-30 minutes, add water as needed. The consistency should be creamy. Add brown sugar, chili, salt and cilantro to taste. Before serving add a small amount of lemon juice and the cut up tomato. Let the soup sit for 5 minutes. Top it off with a dollop of yoghurt.
Enjoy the warmth flooding through your body.
Bon Appétit!
Caution!
Women during menopause or cancer survivors after chemotherapy, who experience hot flashes in the afternoon and/or severe night sweats should eat this dish sparingly. If you need help addressing those symptoms, please call for a free 15 minute consultation or to make an appointment in our office.
Phone # 303 803 0675