Picture is not taken or owned by Simply Neema
(Red) Lentil Curry Soup
My version
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups lentils
4 1/2 cups water
2 roma tomatoes (cubed)
1/2 medium onion (diced)
4 cloves garlic (minced), if you love garlic like me, mince 2 more cloves of garlic:)
1 tbsp. curry powder
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp garam masala
3 tbsp ghee or butter
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp salt
cayenne pepper (optional)
Tools:
Medium sized pot with a lid
Mixing spoon
Cutting board
Kitchen knife
Food processor (optional)
Food processor (optional)
Directions:
1. Begin by preparing your mis en plas (fun fact) which is, a French culinary term that literally means "putting in place". This word is used in professional kitchens when it is time to prep your ingredients before you start cooking. Doing this will help save a lot of time in the kitchen.
2. Cube, dice and mince the necessary ingredients (stated above in the ingredient list).
3. Heat up the pot on medium low heat. After about 2 minutes, place ghee/butter in the pan. Allow to melt completely before adding other ingredients.
4. Swirl the pot around to evenly coat the bottom of the pot. Place garlic and onions in pot. Mix and let them sauté in the pan until they become fragrant (about 30 seconds).
5. Place the tomatoes in the pot along with the seasonings (curry powder, garam masala, cayenne pepper and cumin). Do not add salt at this point. (fun fact) Adding salt to the lentils before they are cooked causes them to become tough.
6. Cook the mix for 1 minute.
7. Add water to the pot and allow to come to a low boil.
8. Once the water is boiling, add the lentils, reduce to low heat and cover with a lid.
9. Allow the lentils to cook for 15-20 minutes. This is the reason I love to use red lentils for soup, they cook very quickly compared to the other varieties.
Note: If you do not have red lentils you can try the recipe using a different type of lentil. (fun fact) It takes 30 minutes for brown lentils to cook and 40 minutes for green.
10. Once all of the lentils have split, reduce the heat to low then add your salt. Allow to cook for 2 minutes.
Note: If you are using a different kind of lentil, you may need to adjust the amount seasonings. Add salt 1/2 tsp at a time tasting after each addition to ensure you don't over season the soup.
11. Taste to make sure the soup is seasoned to your liking.
Note: If you feel like you need more seasonings, add a little more salt or curry powder a pinch at a time, tasting after each addition. Once you are satisfied with the flavor, let it cook on low heat for another 2 minutes.
12. You can serve it as is or blend it in a food processor.
I hope you try and enjoy the recipe. If you did, please feel free to send me pictures or a written review via Instagram (@SimplyNeema) or Twitter (@SimplyNeema). Also, if you liked the recipe, share it so others can enjoy it too. Thank you!:)
4. Swirl the pot around to evenly coat the bottom of the pot. Place garlic and onions in pot. Mix and let them sauté in the pan until they become fragrant (about 30 seconds).
5. Place the tomatoes in the pot along with the seasonings (curry powder, garam masala, cayenne pepper and cumin). Do not add salt at this point. (fun fact) Adding salt to the lentils before they are cooked causes them to become tough.
6. Cook the mix for 1 minute.
7. Add water to the pot and allow to come to a low boil.
8. Once the water is boiling, add the lentils, reduce to low heat and cover with a lid.
9. Allow the lentils to cook for 15-20 minutes. This is the reason I love to use red lentils for soup, they cook very quickly compared to the other varieties.
Note: If you do not have red lentils you can try the recipe using a different type of lentil. (fun fact) It takes 30 minutes for brown lentils to cook and 40 minutes for green.
10. Once all of the lentils have split, reduce the heat to low then add your salt. Allow to cook for 2 minutes.
Note: If you are using a different kind of lentil, you may need to adjust the amount seasonings. Add salt 1/2 tsp at a time tasting after each addition to ensure you don't over season the soup.
11. Taste to make sure the soup is seasoned to your liking.
Note: If you feel like you need more seasonings, add a little more salt or curry powder a pinch at a time, tasting after each addition. Once you are satisfied with the flavor, let it cook on low heat for another 2 minutes.
12. You can serve it as is or blend it in a food processor.
I hope you try and enjoy the recipe. If you did, please feel free to send me pictures or a written review via Instagram (@SimplyNeema) or Twitter (@SimplyNeema). Also, if you liked the recipe, share it so others can enjoy it too. Thank you!:)
