W Sonoma Indian Red Lentil Soup Recipes

Steps:

• Pick over the red lentils and discard any misshapen lentils or stones.
• Rinse lentils and drain.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
• Add the onion and saute, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent (8 to 10 minutes).
• Add the coriander, cumin, ginger, turmeric, and cayenne and stir to mix well.
• Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, to release the flavors of the spices (2 to 3 minutes).
• Add the lentils and then gradually add the water or stock, stirring constantly.
• Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and simmer until the lentils are very soft (30 to 40 minutes).
• Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender or food processor.
• Return the soup to a clean saucepan and place over medium heat.
• Stir in the tomatoes and lemon juice and cook until heated through.
• Season with salt and black pepper.

Steps:

• Combine the lentils, 2 boxes of chicken stock and turmeric in a heavy pot and bring to a boil. Cover, leaving the lid slightly ajar, turn heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
• While soup simmers, peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. When soup has cooked for 30 minutes, add cut potato. Cover, leaving the lid slightly ajar again, and continue simmering for another 30 minutes.
• During the second simmering period, put the garlic and ginger into an electric blender. Add 4 1/2 T water and blend until you have a smooth paste. (I used a food processor for this step. You don't need it to be a paste but it should be finely chopped.).
• Once the soup base has finished cooking it needs to be pureed. Blender 3 batches. (I left one batch unblended to give the soup more texture.) Put pureed soup in a large bowl and set aside. Rinse and wipe out your soup pot.
• Place cooked and cubed chicken in a separate bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to mix. Next, pour oil into soup pot and set over medium heat. When oil is hot, put in the garlic/ginger paste, cumin, coriander and cayenne. Fry, stirring continuously, until the spice mixture is slightly browned and separates from the oil. Put in chicken pieces and fry for 1-2 minutes. Add 14 1/2 oz. chicken stock and bring to boil. Cover and turn heat to low; simmer for 5 minutes.
• Pour in pureed soup and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and serve.

Steps:

• Combine cumin seed, turmeric, ground cumin, and coriander in the bottom of a heavy 6- to 8-quart stockpot. Cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add olive oil, followed by onion and garlic; cook until onion begins to soften and garlic is fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in vegetable broth, tomatoes, lentils, salt, and white pepper.
• Bring mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and let simmer for 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. Continue to simmer until lentils are cooked through and tender, about 1 hour.

Steps:

• Rinse the beans or lentils.
• Bring to a boil with the stock, turmeric, Cayenne, cumin, cardamom and curry/bay leaves.
• Let simmer until the beans or lentils are very soft (ca 30 minutes).
• If using bay leaves, remove them now. Curry leaves can be left in the soup.
• Run the soup quickly in a blender to a not too smooth consistency (or mash the lentils/beans with a ladle).
• Sautee the garlic and mustard seeds lightly in the fat and add to the soup.
• Let simmer for another 5 minutes.
• Add salt, pepper and squeezed lemon to taste.
• Serve hot with pita or paratha bread.