You are either a soup person or not, and I'm a soup person even in the summer.
This lentil and tomato soup has all the advantages of being nutritious, delicious, easy to make and is comfort in a bowl.
Recently after being ill with covid that took all my energy and appetite away, I made this and it helped me regain energy, and increase my hydration levels, because it's so simple to prepare it was also at easy soup to make when I was low in energy and couldn’t stand long. After tasting it, I wondered why I really hadn't made this soup more often!
Ingredients serve 4
half a cup of red lentil's (preferably that have been soaked in cold water for at least 4 hours)
one can of chopped tomatoes
one onion any colour chopped finely
two cloves of garlic finely chopped
half a teaspoon of Curry powder medium
1 medium sweet potato peeled and chopped
half a teaspoon of salt
half a teaspoon of black pepper
quarter a teaspoon of chilli flakes
juice of half of lemon
one litre of vegetable stock
fresh parsley for decoration optional
one teaspoon of vegetable oil
Method
although not strictly necessary I always soak my red lentil's for at least four hours before using them in cold water and then I rinse them well under cold water, this is to remove any toxins, however other people just check the rentals for any grit I'm rinse them in a sieve under cold water before using.
Put the vegetable oil in the bottom of a thick bottom pan that has a lid heat it, on a medium heat, add the onion and garlic and cook till transparent, then add the lentils, sweet potato, tinned tomatoes, stir it well then add the Curry powder seasoning, lemon juice and vegetable stock, cook on a medium heat for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Because lentils can stick make sure that you use a heavy bottomed pan that you stir the soup from time to time and you cook it on a medium not high heat.
Check for seasoning, and add further salt and pepper to taste, using a stick blender blend the soup till it is smooth, if it appears too sick add water or plant milk so it becomes the consistency that you prefer.
Serve hot with some chopped parsley or coriander on the top, and your favourite bread on the side, if you want to serve this as a meal you could add a side salad!