Day 15--- Vegetarian supper tonight

   Today I made a lovely lentil soup. With coconut milk and Indian spices.  A light vegetarian meal packed full of nutrition, after last night's rich supper. I really like cooking with spices from India...they are so aromatic and lively. This soup is an easy pantry fix, assuming you buy coconut milk by the case like I do. Full fat organic coconut milk. It's a very useful thing to keep on hand and I use it for everything from puddings to whipped cream to soup ingredients to noodle salads. I was dreaming of making this soup when I started the bread the other day and tonight that's exactly what we had...big steaming bowls of soup with sliced bread and butter. It was a cool day and so by the time we were eating the weather was perfect for soup.


  I started this soup with 2 onions, some garlic and butter. Saute over low heat in a soup pot  until the onions and garlic are translucent.

  When they are, add 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder and 1 tsp thyme, and cook stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups of washed and sorted green lentils.  Add 3 cups of vegetable broth or water.  Bring to a boil and turn heat down and simmer for about 30 minutes.

  In a separate small pan, stir a tablespoon of garam masala spice mix into about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. If you don't have coconut oil (shame on you !!)  you can use butter.  With the heat set on low, stir the spices and cook, releasing the marvelous aromas for about 3 minutes. Watch that it doesn't burn !  When the lentils are tender but still holding their shape, stir the spice mix in to the soup. Add one can of full fat coconut milk into the soup. Stir well, bring back to a simmer and cook for another 15 minutes.

  VOILA !

  Serve it up with some of that yummy dense artisan bread. Or whatever pleases you.  It makes a filling and complete meal.

   Oh My Goodness.  Could soup BE any better ??

Do you know about lentils from a nutritional standpoint ? Check this out--

Lentils are a powerhouse


   They are a good source of all kinds of vitamins, of protein and fiber. They are a great food for vegetarians. They are versatile (soups, burgers, stews)  Here's a link to a great bunch of ideas and recipes for using lentils:

      Lentil recipes


  Okay--enough for tonight...stay happy and healthy my friends.