sweet potato & lentil soup
This chunky soup is really hearty and could probably fall into the stew category! If you need warming up then this will work. Despite the spices it’s kid-friendly too - my daughter enjoys it although as she prefers a smooth soup I blitz all of hers up rather than leaving half chunky. The cooking of this soup is very hands off and easy to rustle up for a quick lunch. I sometimes like to add a dark green leafy veg such as chard, kale or spinach to the soup and I just stir this in at the end to wilt.
ingredients
serves 4
210g (1 cup) Puy lentils
1 tablespoon of avocado oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 carrots, cut into small chunks
3 sweet potatoes, cut into small chunks
2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon of tomato puree
800ml chicken or vegetable stock
Handful of fresh coriander leaves to garnish (optional)
Dark green leafy veg such as chard, kale or spinach (optional)
method
prep time: 20mins
cook time: approx 40mins
Start by placing your Puy lentils in a bowl and cover with water to soak for 20 minutes.
While the lentils are soaking prepare all your vegetables.
Heat the avocado oil in a large pan and then add all the vegetables. Soften for 5 minutes and then add all the spices and tomato puree.
Give everything a good stir and leave while you drain the lentils.
Add the lentils and stock to the mix in the pan.
Bring to the boil and leave to simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the lentils and vegetables are cooked.
Remove half of the soup to a blender and blend until smooth.
Return the blended soup to the pan and stir everything together.
If you want to add a dark green leafy veg to wilt now is the time to do it.
Sprinkle with the coriander leaves and serve.
the health boost tip
Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, which in most people converts to vitamin A. However did you know that not everyone has the gene to convert beta-carotene to vitamin A? Sweet potatoes have also been shown to help with blood sugar regulation in those with type 2 diabetes.
