Lentil, spinach and cumin soup

Lentil, spinach and cumin soup

For a filling vegetarian dinner, try this warming Middle Eastern-style soup full of lentils, spices and spinach, and topped with fried onions and pine nuts. Lemon and yogurt add brightness to bring out the earthiness of the lentils.

Lentil, spinach and cumin soup

For something similar, try this curried lentil soup with kale instead.

  • Serves icon Serves 4
  • Time icon Hands on time 15 minutes, cooking time 45 minutes

For a filling vegetarian dinner, try this warming Middle Eastern-style soup full of lentils, spices and spinach, and topped with fried onions and pine nuts. Lemon and yogurt add brightness to bring out the earthiness of the lentils.

For something similar, try this curried lentil soup with kale instead.

Nutrition: per serving

Calories
331kcals
Fat
14.4g (1.9g saturated)
Protein
13g
Carbohydrates
23g (3.9g sugars)
Fibre
6.6g
Salt
1.1g

Ingredients

  • 3-4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 onions, sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 150g brown or green lentils
  • 1.2 litres vegetable stock (we like Knorr)
  • 200g spinach
  • Freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon
  • 4 tbsp natural yogurt
  • 25g pine nuts, toasted
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Method

  1. Heat 3 tbsp of the olive oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan and add the sliced onions. Cook, covered, for 8-10 minutes until softened. Remove half the onions and set aside.
  2. Continue to cook the onions left in the pan for 10-15 minutes until deep brown, sweet and caramelised. Remove and set aside for the garnish.
  3. Return the softened onions to the pan, add the garlic, coriander, cumin seeds and lentils, then stir for 1-2 minutes until well coated in oil. Add more oil if necessary. Add the stock, bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently for 30 minutes, uncovered, until the lentils are soft.
  4. Add the spinach and stir until wilted. Transfer half the soup to a blender and liquidise to make a purée. Stir this back into the soup. Season to taste with lemon juice, salt and ground black pepper.
  5. Divide the soup equally among 4 bowls, add a spoonful of plain yogurt to each and scatter the pine nuts and fried onions over the top. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving
Calories
331kcals
Fat
14.4g (1.9g saturated)
Protein
13g
Carbohydrates
23g (3.9g sugars)
Fibre
6.6g
Salt
1.1g

delicious. tips

  1. To change the flavour slightly, use a Middle Eastern spice mix such as baharat mix from Bart instead of the ground coriander and cumin seeds.

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