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Tomato and Lentil Soupy Broth

by 61 Comments

Sometimes the guilt of eating too many wrong things just gets to me and I need to balance the scales internally. This calls for a comforting and filling soupy treat with a pinch of something yum thrown in. Also all those gorgeous cherry tomatoes and vine tomatoes sitting in my fridge were begging to used -asap or risk being dumped into my green food recycle bag. Thrifty that I am ,I will not allow that to happen in my kitchen!And I always turn to my stored lentils for something comforting and homely.

This recipe is perfect for making ahead in a larger batch and freeze some for later.

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Preparation Time:15 minutes

Cooking Time:40 minutes

Serves: 2 (2 generous portions each)

Ingredients:

  • 3/4th cup Red Lentils/Masoor split and without skin
  • 1/4th cup Yellow Lentil/Moong – split and without skin
  • A pinch of asafoetida
  • 2 red onions
  • 5-6 garlic cloves
  • 2 tsp Coriander Powder
  • 2 tsp Cumin Powder
  • Knob of ginger -about as tall as half your thumb
  • 2-3 Cloves
  • 1 tsp pepper powder
  • Red chilli flakes -optional
  • 4-5 juicy medium sized tomatoes – actually use up any type of tomatoes lying around like I did!
  • 3 large tbsp Oil for frying
  • 1 tbsp oil for the tadka
  • Salt to taste

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Method:

  • Wash the lentil through a sieve and pressure cook – 3 whistles, lets the steam escape and loosen cooker lid, remove  allow to cool completely. If you are not a pressure cooker lover then cook the lentils in a big saucepan with exactly two times the water than the quantity of the lentils.
  • In a kadhai or wok heat the 3 tbsp oil and deep fry the garlic chopped into fine strips and red onions finely chopped lengthwise till they are absolutely crisp and smell delicious.
  • Spritz the washed tomatoes with the deep fried red onion and garlic (leave some for garnishing) in the food processor after chopping them in half.
  • Use a potato masher and roughly squash the cooked and cooled lentils and mix them with the tomatoes and red onions and garlic which have been spritzed.
  • In another saucepan heat about 1 to 1.5 tsp oil , add the asafoetida,a pinch of cumin, coriander powder, cumin powder,red chilli powder,cloves, slightly fry all these the spices in the oil and now add the cooked lentils and tomato puree.
  • Add water if the mixture is too thick, http://bestacnedrug.com cook with lid on a low flame for 5 -8 minutes.When almost ready add salt to taste.
  • Serve hot garnished with the fried onion and garlic bits,pepper powder.
  • A hot buttered toast of wholemeal bread, a crusty baguette or a soft cheesy loaf – all marry excellently with this soupy morish broth ummm

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I was looking for a different take on all the cute free images for International Womens Day and then I stumbled on this beauty below. It is 2 years old but it is such a powerful image and I really identify with it as Goddess Kali is a Hindu Goddess and symbol of empowerment and strength.She is the fierce aspect of the goddess Durga (Parvati). I love how Wiki has a beautiful explanation about the symbolism of the Goddess Kali.

Seeking Kali Womens Day poster 8th marcg 2014

Found this brilliant, colourful and powerful poster as a free download on the Seeking Kali Blog, I love it!

Incidentally the theme for the event ‘‘In my Veg Box” event hosted by Nayna for March’14 is Tomatoes 🙂 so linking up for her event and the following – ”No Croutons Required” hosted this month by Lisas Kitchen on her blog Food and Spice .Jac from Tinned Tomatoes and Lisa  have been hosting this challenge together for a long time.

Also as ginger and lentil go really well together and ”Cooking with Ginger” is the theme of the month for Vanesther’s event called ‘‘The Spice Trail” ,she blogs at Bangers and Mash and there is a very pretty gift for the this month’s winner inspired by the Dotcomgiftshop too – whoopie and fingers crossed only on my right hand for now, left hand is still healing from the surgery boooo.

As usual I have been thrifty and saved those gorgeous tomatoes from the food waste bin so this post definitely qualifies for the No Food Waste Challenge hosted for this month by Chris from Cooking around the world and started by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary and last but certainly not the least to the ”Vegetarian Recipe Challenge” a monthly challenge hosted by The Bouncing Tigger blog where a feminine theme is required – what could be more apt than the symbol of empowerment – Goddess Kali and a post written on International Womens Day!

PicMonkey Collage for Tomato & Lentil Broth

 

Tomato and Lentil soupy broth

Comments

  1. Nayna Kanabar says

    This protein packed dhal/ soup looks so delicious and perfect to wipe out the winter blues. By the way *note big hint* I love the copper plate, actually I don’t love it I adore it.

    Reply

  3. London-Unattached.com says

    I love spicy tomato and lentil soup, so I guess that this one with indian spices should be right up my street:) hope your hand is getting better!

    Reply

    • manjirichitnis says

      Hi Fiona, oh thats good to know, I am such a lentil person and I cannot resist juicy fresh tomatoes!Thanks the head is healing well but my wrist is a bit wobbly but am getting there 🙂

      Reply

  5. Janice @FarmersgirlCook says

    That would certainly warm you up and give you a virtuous glow at the same time 😉

    Reply

  11. Bex Smith says

    Ooh that looks perfect – something that I wouldn’t share with anyone – tomatoes, lentils as a soupy broth..yummy! Perfect for winter nights 🙂

    Reply

    • manjirichitnis says

      Thanks Alana thats very kind of you to share on FB!I love garlic and onions and I start cooking with these 2 in my head! Summer Glorious Summer can’t wait! Bring on the BBQ’s, fresh summer fruits, no jackets, beach trips and oh yeah the SUN! 🙂

      Reply

  19. Vanesther says

    Such a wonderfully spicy and flavoursome soup – thank you so much for sharing in this month’s Spice Trail. And a great image of Goddess Kali too!

    Reply

    • manjirichitnis says

      Thanks Vanesther! Am looking for more entries to add to The Spice Trail, feel like a klutz for not having added any entries for earlier challenges! Thanks it is a powerful image isnt it?am so glad I found that free poster!

      Reply

  21. Choclette says

    I do like a good bowl of soup and as you say you can feel quite virtuous having eaten it. Tomato and lentil is a favourite and yours sounds delicious.

    Reply

  27. Margy Rydzynski says

    Wow – that looks absolutely fabulous! I’m participating in Tigger’s Vegetarian challenge and have a four-bean chili planned for tonight. I’m from the US, but love the flavors of India. I may give this a try at some point. If you have any other recipes, please feel free to leave them on my blog. I’d love to try whatever you suggest and then share it with others. http://blogcollectables.wordpress.com/meatless-in-may-give-me-a-recipe/

    Reply

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