The Carrot and Cumin soup that stole your heart

Posted on April 16, 2016 Updated on April 23, 2016

MDuring Love Food Hate Waste Project 2016 (roadshows and workshops included) there was one soup that definitely stole everyone’s heart both in terms of taste and simplicity of preparation.

An easy recipe to help you use  that bag of carrots you bought when you really only needed a couple. Nutritious, warming and satisfying it is versatile in its use of pulses, I actually make it with yellow split peas more often than with red lentils, but if you are in a rush lentils are a better option. If you do not have ras-el-hanout spice mixture you can increase the cumin dose, add some paprika, ground coriander, a pinch of chilli powder and a squeese of lemon. Fresh coriander or spinach complements the recipe very well. The use of almond milk is in my opinion what really makes this soup (use sweetened). And if you serve with toasted almonds it and coriander pesto you have a luxury version to indulge in.

Enjoy!

Ingredients
Makes 2.5lt soup or 6 portions for main

• 700g carrots
• 350g red lentils or split yellow peas
• 2.5 litres stock
• 250ml almond milk
• 2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 pinch chilli flakes
• 1.5 tsp Ras El Hanout spice mix
• Salt
• Olive oil
• Fresh coriander or spinach (Optional)

Preparation
45minutes

1. Wash carrots well with a vegetable brush and chop finely.
2. Coat the bottom of a pot with enough olive oil.
3. When hot add the cumin seeds and chilli flakes and fry for a few
4. Add the carrots, with a couple of pinches of salt and stir fry for
5. Add the lentils and Ras El Hanout and stir well until well coated
6. Add the stock, bring to the boil and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
7. Remove from the heat, add the almond milk and blend to a creamy
8. Add the chopped spinach and/or coriander for a soup that will make you as strong as Popeye!

Lia’s Tips: Mix parsnips or potatoes with carrots to use up leftover vegetable. This soup is great with split yellow peas. Served with pesto and nuts it is a very filling meal. Serve with savoury muffins or toasted stale bread or croutons.