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Red Lentil Soup

Adapted from The New York Times, January 9, 2008
Red lentils are hulled and split. They cook much faster than other lentils and don’t hold their shape as well, which creates a thick soup.
Print Recipe
Course Soups, Chilis & Stews
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
  • 1 large onion peeled and minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pinch chili powder
  • 1 quart chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 2 large carrots peeled and diced
  • 0.5 head cabbage finely shredded
  • 3 celery stalks trimmed and diced
  • 8 ounces spinach stemmed and finely shredded
  • 0.5 lemon juiced
  • 3 tablespoons cilantro leaves chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, heat the oil over high heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until golden, about 4 minutes.Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, salt, black pepper and chili powder, and saute for 2 minutes. Add the stock, 2 cups of water, lentils, carrots, cabbage and celery. Bring to a simmer, partially cover the pot and turn the heat to medium low. Simmer until the lentils are soft, about 30 minutes. Taste and add salt if necessary.Puree half the soup in a blender or food processor and return it to the pot; it should remain somewhat chunky. Just before serving, stir in spinach, lemon juice and cilantro. Serve drizzled with additional olive oil.IMPORTANT! Always use great caution when pureeing hot liquids. If you have time, allow the soup to cool before blending. Never fill the container more than half full and cover the lid with a folded kitchen towel and hold it in place before you turn on the blender. The initial surge of the blender's contents can cause the lid to pop open, possibly scalding you if still hot and certainly making a mess of your kitchen.  (Recipe #709)