Lentil Soup with Lemon and Turmeric

2 T. olive oil

2 cups finely chopped onion (1 medium onion)

1 1/2 cups chopped carrot (2 large carrots)

2 tsp. minced garlic (3 cloves)

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. ground coriander

1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

1/2 tsp. ground turmeric

2 cups (12 ounces) lentils, picked and rinsed

8 cups chicken or vegetable broth

2 heaping cups shredded kale or spinach

1 to 2 lemons

1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill, optional

Fine sea salt, to taste

 

Heat the oil in a large pot (like a Dutch oven) over medium heat. Add the onions, carrot, and 1/4 tsp. of salt and cook, stirring occasionally until they are softened and starting to smell sweet, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic, cumin, coriander, black pepper, and turmeric and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the lentils and broth. Increase the heat to high and bring just to a boil. Taste then adjust with salt (we add between 1/2 and 1 tsp. depending on how well seasoned the broth is). Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, partially covered, until the lentils are tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Uncover the pot and stir in the kale (or spinach) and cook, uncovered, another 5 minutes. Take the soup off of the heat, and then stir in the juice of half a lemon and the fresh herbs. Taste the soup, and then season with additional salt and/or lemon juice. (I like quite a bit of lemon.) Serve or if you prefer the soup to be blended, use an immersion blender to blend until your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can use a stand blender to blend all or part of the soup.