Spicy Lentil Soup

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 cup red lentil, and water to cover (will be drained off)
• 1 -2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped small
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2-1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 cup zucchini, diced small
• 1/2 cup carrot, diced small
• 5 cups vegetable stock
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 -2 ounce linguine, broken into 1-inch pieces
• 2 -4 tablespoons cilantro, chopped (optional)
• cream, sour cream (optional) or neufchatel cheese (optional)

Recipe

• 1 wash and pick over lentils. cover with water and leave to soak for 15 minutes.
• 2 while lentils are soaking, prepare other ingredients for use.
• 3 when everything is ready, drain lentils and set aside.
• 4 heat oil in a heavy saucepan. sauté onion, garlic and ginger until onion is translucent.
• 5 stir in turmeric, cumin and chili powder, and sauté for about 1 minute.
• 6 add lentils, zucchini, carrot, vegetable stock, salt and pepper (if needed). bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes (until vegetables are almost tender). spoon off scum as needed.
• 7 add linguine pieces and simmer another 10-15 minutes (until pasta is al dente). i used only 1 ounce of linguine, but you could use more to add body to the soup.
• 8 to serve, ladle into bowls and garnish with cilantro and a dollop of cream, sour cream or neufchatel cheese.