As you know by now, my diet is almost exclusively plant-based. Soups become an easy, economical, flavorful, and nutritious dinner savior. Those who think soups are strictly a winter dish are wrong; lukewarm or cold, they are delicious and pair well with spring or summer ingredients, such as zucchini. My red lentil and coconut milk soup, another staple ingredient in my kitchen since I first made the chickpea curry and fell in love with it, is incredibly creamy and delicious.
Now, let’s get to work and prepare the red lentil and coconut milk soup together.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 6 servings
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients for Preparing the Red Lentil and Coconut Milk Soup
- 1.1 lbs red split lentils
- 2 zucchini
- 3 tbsps sesame oil
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 14 oz coconut milk (in can)
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder
- to taste fresh ginger
- to taste salt
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup Basmati rice
- to taste salt
- to taste salt
- 2 tbsps sesame oil
Tools
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- Pan
Steps for Preparing the Red Lentil and Coconut Milk Soup
First, briefly boil the red lentils. The split ones cook very quickly, so 10 minutes will suffice. Before doing so, rinse them well. Cut the zucchini into chunks after washing them.
Coarsely chop an onion. In a pan, pour a splash of oil. If you don’t have sesame oil, olive oil works just fine. Add the onion and garlic. Add the zucchini and after a few minutes, the drained lentils, and let them absorb the flavors. Pour in the coconut milk, the canned kind which is much thicker, season with garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and grated ginger, and stir. Cook until the lentils are nice and soft.
Bring lightly salted water to a boil. Pour in the rice and cook, covered, until the water is absorbed. Enrich with sesame oil, ginger, and stir. Serve the soup, enriching each portion with a couple of spoonfuls of rice.
Storage
The soup keeps for two to three days in the fridge.
