Courgette & Lentil Soup

I ended up with quite a glut of courgettes last year and this was the best recipe I came across for using them up. This makes courgette and lentil soup, with only half the water it makes courgette and lentil dhal which is quite scrummy. You can get away with more courgettes than it says as they just blend into the dhal.

Ingredients:

  • 450g/1lb/2 1/2 cups red lentils, soaked in cold water for 20 minutes
  • 2litres / 3 1/2 pts 8 1/2 cups water
  • 2.5ml/1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1.5ml/1/4 tsp chili powder
  • salt
  • 45ml/3 tbsp oil
  • 1.5ml/1/4 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 onions, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1cm/1/2 in ginger root, chopped
  • 1 large tomato, chopped
  • 900g/2 lb courgettes, sliced
  • 15ml/1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander

Method:

  1. Boil the lentils in the water with the turmeric, chili powder and salt for about 20 minutes until tender. 
  2. Heat the oil and fry the cumin seeds until golden. 
  3. Add the onions, garlic and ginger and fry until browned. 
  4. Add the tomato and fry for 2 minutes. 
  5. Pour over the lentils, stir well cover and simmer for 5 minutes. 
  6. Stir in the courgettes and cook for a further 5 minutes. 
  7. Garnish with coriander and serve hot as a soup or with chapatis or plain rice