Red Lentil Soup With Vadouvan Spice Blend Recipes

VADOUVAN SPICE BLEND

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Pulse onions in 3 batches in a food processor until very coarsely chopped (there may be a few large pieces remaining), transferring to a bowl. Repeat with shallots, then garlic.
• Heat oil in a deep 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over high heat until it shimmers, then sauté onions, shallots, and garlic (stir often) until golden and browned in spots, 25 to 30 minutes
• Grind fenugreek seeds in grinder or with mortar and pestle. Add to onion mixture along with remaining ingredients, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and stir until combined.
• Transfer to a parchment-paper-lined large 4-sided sheet pan and spread as thinly and evenly as possible. Bake, stirring occasionally with a skewer to separate onions, until well browned and barely moist, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

SPICED RED LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Fry the onion in 1 tbsp olive oil until soft. Stir in the red Thai curry paste, depending how hot you want it.
• Add red lentils and mix to coat in the paste. Pour over vegetable stock and simmer for 20 mins until the lentils are tender.
• Blend with coconut milk and reheat if needed. Serve scattered with chopped spring onions, if you like.

COMFORT RED LENTIL SOUP WITH WARM SPICES

Steps:

• Pick over the lentils, place them in a colander and rinse several times, until the water runs clear.
• Place a medium pot over medium heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and, once hot, add the onion and sauté for about four minutes until softened. Next, season with the salt and add the minced garlic. Cook for a minute more and then add the spices. Stirring frequently cook for two minutes more, or, until the onions and garlic are well caramelized and the spices become fragrant.
• To the pot add the tomato paste and cook briefly until the paste caramelizes as well (the tomato paste will help thicken the soup). Stir in the broth (chicken or vegetable) and the water. Next, add the rinsed lentils. Bring the pot to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or, until the lentils are completely soft and broken down. (Red lentils cook faster than other varieties)
• Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and zest. Taste and adjust the seasoning--add more salt or spices if necessary (I usually do).
• When ready to serve, heat 2 TBSP. of olive oil in a small skillet and stir in the paprika. Remove from the heat.
• Ladle the soup into four warm bowls, drizzle each portion with the seasoned olive oil, sprinkle with the fresh cilantro, and serve.