Return of Soup Weather

So, the winter’s back with us for a little while to come up here in 53.48 degrees northern latitude. Never mind, that’s just an excuse to curl up indoors with a good book and a nice bowl of soup.

Warming Tomato, Ginger and Lentil Soup (serves 4)

(For info, my mug is about 225ml)

Fry 1 chopped medium red onion and a chopped piece of ginger (about the size of your thumb) in a tablespoon of olive oil until just starting to caramelise. Add a 400g tin of chopped tomatoes and one mug of red lentils and one mug of water.  Bring to the boil. You could add a vegetable stock cube or some bouillon powder, but this is a matter of taste. Keep the soup on a rolling boil for about five minutes, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add more water as necessary.

The choice is yours depending on if you like a smooth or a chunky soup. Personally I like to blitz it and have a nice creamy velouté, but my mum likes to blend half, set half aside and then stir it together as she likes the chunky bits.

Variations: Try adding some coconut cream and thai red sauce for a bit of extra flavour.

Also good with some chilli flakes if the temperature outside is biting.

If you have the oven on for a cookfest, why not roast some tomatoes and red peppers in olive oil and use instead of the tinned tomatoes? Obviously I wouldn’t just put the oven on for that, doesn’t really go with the energy saving thing.
The soup is suitable for freezing. Yippee!!