lentils

Ingredients

• 4 Tsp sunflower seed oil
• 1 cup finely diced onion
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup finely diced winter squash, sweet potato, or zucchini (or some of each)
• 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
• 3 tbs. cilantro stems, minced (lots is good)
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 1 cup red lentils, rinsed well
• 1 can light coconut milk
• juice of 1-2 limes, or to taste (don't forget the zest)
• freshly ground pepper

Preparation

• Over medium heat, heat the oil in a wide soup pot. Add the veggies and cilantro stems and cook, stirring occasionally for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add 1 ½ teaspoons salt, turmeric and cumin, and cook for another 3 or 4 minutes before adding the rinsed lentils and 4 cups of water.
• Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, until the lentils have broken down and are sufficiently tender, about 20 minutes.
• Puree about half of them in a blender and return them to the soup.  Stir in the coconut milk (yum!) and return the soup to a boil.
• Taste for salt and add several grindings of pepper and season to taste with lime juice.