Last night, I read a great post by MoniqueC titled Red Lentils.   I love her writing style. I don't remember ever reading one of her posts that didn't make an impression on me.  She has a quick sense of humor combined with some amazing insights into the world.  Yesterday, she was lacking in motivation and confidence.  It inspired her to contemplate a large bag of red lentils that her husband had left on the counter.  Somehow, she managed to relate an unused bag of red lentils to life and show an incredible amount of vulnerability in doing so. I promised her that if she would continue to work on her writing project, I would share with her an amazing soup recipe.  Initially, I told her I would send her the recipe when she finished her book. Somehow, she convinced me to let her have it now. 

So, here it is.  Good News for soup lovers everywhere.

Spiced Coconut - Red Lentil Soup for MoniqueC

(Courtesy of Cooking Light Magazine)

2tsp olive oil

2 cups chopped onion

1 T minced fresh ginger

1tsp ground cumin

1/2tsp ground coriander

1/8tsp ground cinnamon

5 garlic cloves

3 cups chicken broth

1 cup small red lentils (I know Monique, this may barely make a dent in your bag but you can double the recipe!)

1/2 cup water

1 cup light coconut milk

3 T chopped fresh basil (I have also used cilantro)

2 T fresh lime juice

1/4 tsp salt

Step 1: Heat oil in a large pan and cook onion until golden.  Add ginger, cumin,coriander,cinnamon, garlic and cook a minute.  Add broth, lentils, and 1/2 cup water.  Bring to a boil.  Cover and reduce heat, simmer 25 minutes or until lentils are tender.

Step 2: Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Now you can either put  the mixture in a regular blender and mix until smooth or I just put an immersion blender in the pot and blend until it's smooth (anything not to have to wash a blender!)

Step 3) Return the blended mixture to the pan.  Stir in the coconut milk, lime juice, salt and basil.  Cook over medium heat 2 minutes and serve.

OK Monique, I've done my part. 

Let me know when I can purchase your book.

image from superspark@wordpress