red_lentil_soup_with_north_african_spices 1.4 KB

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425
  1. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  2. 1 large onion, chopped fine
  3. Salt and pepper
  4. ¾ teaspoon ground coriander
  5. ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  6. ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  7. ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  8. Pinch cayenne
  9. 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  10. 1 garlic clove, minced
  11. 4 cups chicken broth
  12. 2 cups water
  13. 10 ½ounces (1 ½ cups) red lentils, picked over and rinsed
  14. 2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus extra for seasoning
  15. 1 ½teaspoons dried mint, crumbled
  16. 1 teaspoon paprika
  17. ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  18. . Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add coriander, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in broth, water, and lentils and bring to simmer. Simmer vigorously, stirring occasionally, until lentils are soft and about half are broken down, about 15 minutes.
  19. 2. Whisk soup vigorously until it is coarsely pureed, about 30 seconds. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and extra lemon juice to taste. Cover and keep warm. (Soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Thin soup with water, if desired, when reheating.)
  20. 3. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in small skillet. Remove from heat and stir in mint and paprika. Ladle soup into individual bowls, drizzle each portion with 1 teaspoon spiced butter, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve.