Mmm Mmm Good

This is my new favorite lentil soup recipe.



SPICY LENTIL & TOMATO SOUP

(based on this recipe on allrecipes.com)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
• 1 cup lentils
  
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can peeled and diced roasted tomatoes (mine had garlic in them)
  
• 2 cups veggie broth
  
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup sour cream, for topping (optional)
• 2 sprigs fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Lightly brown the onions in the oil.
   
2. Add the tomatoes, pepper, lentils, cumin and basil to the pan along with the broth and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
3. When the lentils have softened, puree half the soup in a blender and return to pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper. For a special touch, put sour cream in a squirt bottle, and squeeze a spiral onto the top of each bowl of soup, and garnish with a sprig of fresh basil.

It's thick and spicy, warming and filling. I failed at making the sour cream spiral, but it tasted good, anyway and was a nice cool, creamy counterpoint to the soup.