I’m home alone for a few weeks, so I’ve doing a lot of cooking for one. Soups have become my staple: make a big batch and it lasts for a few days lunches and dinners.

With no less than three open bags of red lentils recently discovered in the back of my press, I was determined to get through at least one of them. Far tastier than they look, the red lentil adds a wonderful thick earthiness to soups, and they’re a cheap, alternative source of protein for vegetarians and occasional meat-avoiders.

Here’s a delicious lentil soup, adapted from our reader Nanazolie‘s recipe. Make a big batch and see yourself through the week. This should give at least four generous servings.

Ingredients

• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 potato, chopped and peeled
• 1 stick of celery
• 1 leek (optional)
• About 150g red lentils
• A clove of garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1 chilli, chopped
• About an inch of ginger, chopped
• 1 tsp curry powder
• A knob of butter
• 1 litre of vegetable stock
• Salt and pepper

Method

• Over a medium heat, sweat the onions and leeks in a pot with butter for three minutes. Add the garlic, chilli, and ginger and sweat for another two minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the rest of the vegetables and sweat for a further five minutes, with the lid on, stirring occasionally.
• Add the curry powder, mix well, and pour in the stock.
• Bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer, and add in the lentils. Cook for 15-20 minutes: the vegetables should be soft and the lentils will have turned mushy
• Blend and serve, with some optional cream for an extra touch of warm opulence in this very comforting dish.

Related posts:

1. Recipe: Carrot and Orange Soup
2. Recipe: Potato and broccoli soup with ginger and cardamom
3. Recipe: Comforting Tomato and Lentil Soup