Spicy Soup or or Why I Love Wintertime

Mixed feelings about the weather is something every human being is familiar with. If it's winter, it's the rain (or the lack of it) and everybody dreams about sunny days. If it's summer, it's how hot it is and how cosy winter days can be... I complain about the weather, therefore I exist. As the spring arrives, I have cravings for salads and colorful fruits but the soup freak in me feels a little sorry for the hot weather. Before that happens I better share my own version of dahl, the Indian spicy soup that makes a winter day like today much brighter.

dahl

Serves 4

1 1/2 cups cup dried red lentils
1 medium onion, chopped
4 Tbsp olive oil
1 large carrot, chopped
1 tsp turmeric (curcuma)
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 large tomatoes (or 4 small), chopped
3 cups water or veg broth
salt to taste
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Over medium-high heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil in a pot, add onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add the carrot and the turmeric and saute 2 more minutes. Add lentils and veg broth. Bring to a boil then lower the heat a bit and simmer for 10 minutes. In a small saucepan, heat remaining olive oil, toast the spices for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the tomatoes and stir carefully for 2 minutes. Mix in the tomatoes to the lentils mixture once tender and add a pinch of salt (or to taste). When about to serve, add chopped cilantro.



This is my entry for No Croutons Required, this month hosted by Holler from Tinned Tomatoes. No Croutons Required is a monthly food blogging event alternately hosted by Lisa's Kitchen and Tinned Tomatoes. The theme for March is spicy soups. The No Croutons Required challenge for March is to make a spicy soup that will tingle on the tongue. How fitting is that?? Thanks to Gretchen for bringing this event to my attention. :)