This is a fat-free version of a much loved soup made with everyday ingredients. I have made it lighter by using fresh tomatoes, and increased the fibre content by adding some carrots. We ate this for lunch with bread shaped and baked in a flowerpot.
I used my Thermomix, but the way I would have done it in my student days, and now when I am away from my kitchen, is to cook all the vegetables in a large pot (add the whole lentils right at the beginning), add the stock, simmer for around 30 minutes until everything is soft then process into a soup using an electric hand blender. It will tase just as delicious.
For the Soup:
40 g red lentils (use white long-grain rice if you do not have lentils)
100 g red or white onion
20 g garlic cloves
225 g carrots, peeled and sliced
325 g red peppers, de-seeded and cut in quarters
475 g fresh tomatoes, cut into quarters
1 vegetable stock cube
400 g water or 400 g vegetable stock (omit the stock cube then)
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
A small pinch of sugar
How to Make:
Place the lentils in the TM mixing bowl and grind 20 secs/ speed 10. This will make a very fine powder so to prevent it from escaping through the lid, place an 8 inch/ 20 cm piece of baking parchment in between the rim of the bowl and the lid. In practice I always grind more lentils than I need and store the rest in a bottle for another day.
Transfer the ground lentils to a bowl and set aside.
Place the onion, garlic, carrot and pepper into the TM bowl and chop 3 seconds/ speed 5.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and then sauté for 5 minutes/ 100 C/ speed 1.
Add the fresh tomatoes, stock, ground lentils, vinegar and sugar. Cook for 20 minutes/ 100 C/ speed 1.
Puree the soup for 1 minute/ speed 6 – 10, increasing the speed gradually over the first 20 seconds.
Serve the soup hot with a drizzle of herb oil or a sprinkling of freshly chopped herbs like parsley or chives.
If you are not able to blend the red lentils into a fine powder, add them whole with the other ingredients and cook for 25 – 30 minutes until the lentils have almost disintegrated
