SPICY LENTIL SOUP W/ PUMPKIN, TOMATO + SNOW PEAS

if you are a fan of spicy flavours and looking for something to warm you up, this sambar is a delicious dish that will tick all the boxes. you can hearty it up with a serving of brown rice or enjoy this flavoursome soup all on its own. 

how?

1.5 L of water

100g of red lentils, rinsed

1 small brown onion, diced

100g of carrots, diced into 2cm pieces

100g of pumpkin, peeled and diced into 2 cm pieces 

100g of snow peas (or green beans), cut into 2cm lengths

1 medium tomato, diced

1 ½ teaspoons of turmeric

1 ½ teaspoons of sugar

1 ½ teaspoons of salt

for the masala…

50ml of canola oil 

1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds

1 teaspoon of coriander seeds

2 teaspoons of dried chilli flakes

10 dried curry leaves

1 teaspoon of asafoetida

for the tarka…

2 teaspoons of canola oil, extra

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 teaspoon of black mustard seeds

1 ½ teaspoons of fenugreek seeds

bring the water to the boil in a large pot. add the red lentils, onion, carrots, pumpkin and tomato and lower the heat to a simmer. cook uncovered for 30 minutes. add the snow peas, turmeric, sugar and salt and cook for a further 15 minutes, or until the lentils are soft. 

add the fenugreek seeds, coriander seeds, dried chilli and curry leaves to a spice grinder. grind to a rough powder. heat the oil for the masala in a frying pan over medium heat. add the spice blend and asafoetida and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant. stir the paste into the pot of vegetables. 

heat the oil for the tarka in a frying pan over medium heat. add the onion, black mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds and fry off for 10 minutes. add to the vegetables and stir to combine. 

serve as a soup or, for a more filling meal, over rice. 

serves 4-6