COMFORTING LENTIL SOUP

This soup is my number one choice when the damp, cold winter settles into our home. It’s perfect when you're craving something spicy (you can adjust the heat to your liking), warming, comforting and at the same time rich in flavor. This recipe is an excellent option for lunch or dinner during the colder months, but it can definitely be enjoyed in spring, fall and even summer, especially on those rainy days.

Ingredients

• 2-3 carrots

• 1 onion

• Several cloves of garlic

• 1 cm of ginger

• 1 tablespoon of tomato paste

• 3 potatoes

• 200 g of lentils (if possible, I mix different types - pink and green)

• Greens (arugula, spinach, kale - for added nutrition)

• Fresh cilantro (can be substituted with dried)

• Coconut milk (from a can) for serving

• Spices: salt, paprika, cumin, turmeric, cayenne pepper (don't use the cayenne if you prefer it mild)

• Water or vegetable broth

Instructions

I soak the lentils for at least a few hours.

I chop carrots and celery into small cubes. I grate ginger and garlic finely.

In a heated pot, I add the carrots, celery, garlic, ginger and spices. I sauté them for a few minutes. Then, I add tomato paste, lentils and pour in enough water or vegetable broth to completely cover the vegetables and lentils. I reduce the heat and let it simmer slowly for about 7-10 minutes.

Next, I add the diced potatoes and continue to simmer everything on low heat for another 10 minutes. If necessary, I add more water or broth to adjust the consistency of the soup.

Once all the vegetables are tender, I turn off the heat and let the soup sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Serving:

I pour the soup into a bowl, add a spoonful of coconut milk and sprinkle it with cilantro (fresh is the best, but dried can also be used if fresh isn't available).

I also serve a side of leafy greens, such as spinach, arugula or kale. When eating the soup, I add one or a few handfuls of greens on top and enjoy. This way, it's easy to meet the recommended intake of greens during the colder months.

BON APPETIT!