Indian Red Lentil Soup Recipes

Steps:

• Put the lentils in a strainer and rinse them under running water. Add them to a bowl, cover with water and let soak for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of water, the onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, chile, if using, and the lentils. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Skim any scum from the surface. DO NOT ADD SALT YET; it will toughen the lentils, thereby lengthening their cooking time. Lower the heat, cover the pot with a lid and gently simmer until the lentils are tender, almost translucent, and almost falling apart, about 30 to 40 minutes.
• Whisk the lentils, releasing its natural starch, and mash some them so the mixture becomes thick. Add salt, to taste.
• Tempering oil (bagaar): In a small bowl, combine the cumin and mustard seeds. In another bowl, combine the spice powders. Have all the ingredients ready because this will move very fast!
• In a small skillet, over a medium-high flame, warm 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add seeds and immediately cover so you don't get covered in spluttering oil and seeds! Add the spices. They should sizzle and bubble a little - that's the blooming and it's exactly what you want. Don't let them burn. The mixture should bloom for about 30 seconds, no more.
• Pour the oil mixture into the lentils, standing back so you don't get hurt when the mixture splutters again. Stir to combine. Transfer the lentils to a serving dish and garnish with cilantro.

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.

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:

• In a saucepan, soften the onion, garlic and carrot in the butter.
• Add the curry powder and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the ginger, broth, coconut milk and tomato paste.
• Bring to a boil and add the lentils. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Adjust the seasoning.
• Serve with pan-fried flatbread.