Red Lentil Soup With African Spices Recipes

RED LENTIL SOUP WITH NORTH AFRICAN SPICES RECIPE - (3.4/5)

Steps:

• Pair this soup with a salad and bread for lunch or a light supper. 1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add coriander, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in broth, water, and lentils and bring to simmer. Simmer vigorously, stirring occasionally, until lentils are soft and about half are broken down, about 15 minutes. 2. Whisk soup vigorously until it is coarsely pureed, about 30 seconds. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and extra lemon juice to taste. Cover and keep warm. (Soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Thin soup with water, if desired, when reheating.) 3. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in small skillet. Remove from heat and stir in mint and paprika. Ladle soup into individual bowls, drizzle each portion with 1 teaspoon spiced butter, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve.

MOROCCAN SPICED RED LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, 10 minutes until softened and beginning to color. Add garlic and cook one minute to release its aroma. Add celery and cook 2 minutes until softened. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, the pepper and the turmeric, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, saffron, and bay leaf and cook 2 to 3 minutes to develop the flavor of the spices. Add tomato paste, potatoes, lentils and water and cook 45 minutes; the lentils and potatoes should be quite tender. Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon salt, wheat berries and tomatoes and heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve garnished with cilantro.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly brush oil or butter on both sides of bread slices. Arrange bread in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool croutons on a wire rack.

SPICY LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in carrot and celery; cook, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, about 8 more minutes.
• Stir in tomato paste, crushed red pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper; mix in chicken stock and lentils.
• Bring soup to a boil and reduce heat to low; simmer until lentils are soft, about 20 minutes.

NORTH AFRICAN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse lentils several times in cold water, setting aside to drain.
• Heat garlic in olive oil in large saucepan, being careful not to scorch garlic.
• Add onion and saffron and cook, stirring, until onions are tender (add a few drops of water if onions try to stick).
• Add carrots, celery, and turnip, cooking 10 minutes over low heat.
• Add lentils, broth, tomatoes, and parsley.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover.
• Simmer over low heat 1 1/2 hours until lentils are tender and broth is slightly thickened.
• Add lemon juice just before serving.

RED LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the ginger and heat, stirring, for about a minute. Add the ground cumin and stir another 30 seconds.
• Add the onion and carrots and cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently.
• Add the lentils and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the lentils are soft.
• Remove from heat and puree with an immersion blender (or in batches in a blender or food processor). Add salt and pepper to taste, although I usually do not add any.
• Add a squeeze of lemon in each serving, if you wish - I find that it adds a bright note.
• Note: A spoonful of plain yogurt is a nice addition.

RED-LENTIL SOUP WITH SAGE AND BACON

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crisp, about 3 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a piece of paper towel, and set aside. Discard all but 1 tablespoon bacon drippings from pan.
• Add the garlic, onion, and carrots to saucepan. Cook vegetable mixture over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the minced sage, and cook 1 minute more.
• Add the lentils, cumin, and chicken stock; stir to combine. Simmer until lentils are cooked and falling apart, 20 to 25 minutes.
• To serve, divide the hot soup among four soup plates, and garnish with the reserved bacon and additional sage.