Carrot Lentil Coconut Soup (Printable Version)

Wholesome soup with carrots, lentils, and aromatic spices for a comforting meal.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 cups carrots, peeled and sliced
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 celery stalk, chopped

→ Lentils

05 - 3/4 cup red lentils, rinsed

→ Liquids

06 - 4 cups vegetable stock
07 - 1 can (13.5 fl oz) coconut milk, optional

→ Spices and Seasoning

08 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
11 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes, optional
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

13 - Fresh coriander or parsley, chopped, optional
14 - Coconut cream or yogurt for swirl, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add olive oil and sauté onion, garlic, and celery for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Add sliced carrots and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Stir in cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add rinsed lentils, vegetable stock, and coconut milk if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until carrots and lentils are tender.
05 - Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or leave slightly chunky if preferred.
06 - Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs and a swirl of yogurt or coconut cream if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The natural sweetness of carrots balances perfectly with earthy lentils creating a flavor harmony that even my vegetable-skeptic friends request repeatedly.
  • You can prep everything in about 15 minutes then let it simmer while you attend to other things making it perfect for those evenings when you want homemade food without hovering over the stove.
02 -
  • Red lentils cook much faster than other varieties and will seemingly dissolve into the soup creating that perfect creamy texture without the need for heavy cream.
  • Blooming your spices in the pot before adding liquids makes an enormous difference in flavor development something I learned only after years of bland soups.
03 -
  • For an incredible flavor boost roast the carrots in the oven before adding them to the soup the caramelization adds a depth that transforms the entire dish.
  • Keep the heat at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil to preserve the delicate flavors and prevent the lentils from becoming mushy or bitter.
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