Spicy Lentil Soup Carrots (Print Version)

Hearty lentils and aromatic veggies combined with spices for a warm, nourishing dish.

# Recipe Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
02 - 2 medium carrots, diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Legumes

05 - 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed

→ Liquids

06 - 5 cups vegetable broth
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

08 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste
11 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

→ Garnish (optional)

16 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
17 - Red chili flakes

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add rinsed lentils, bay leaf, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine all ingredients.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until lentils are tender.
05 - Remove bay leaf. Stir in salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning according to preference.
06 - Optionally, partially blend the soup using an immersion blender for creaminess, or leave it chunky as preferred.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs and red chili flakes if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns a handful of basic ingredients into something that tastes like you simmered it all day.
  • The heat sneaks up on you in the best way, warming you from the inside without overwhelming your tongue.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day when the spices have had time to settle into the lentils.
02 -
  • Don't skip the lemon juice at the end, it transforms the soup from good to something you'll crave.
  • If your lentils are old, they take longer to soften, so always check tenderness before you finish seasoning.
03 -
  • Toast your cumin and coriander in a dry pan before adding them if you have an extra minute, it makes the spices taste fuller and more alive.
  • Always rinse your lentils well before cooking to remove any dust or debris that can cloud the broth.

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