Indian Spiced Red Lentil Soup

– courtesy Foodland Ontario/Ontario.ca/foodland

Indian Spiced Red Lentil Soup
Sweet potato adds a touch of sweetness and balances the warm spices while the red lentils provide fibre. Serves four.

1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 Ontario onion, chopped
2 cloves Ontario garlic, minced
2 tsp grated fresh gingerroot
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander seed
1/2 tsp turmeric
4 cups sodium-reduced vegetable broth
1 cup red lentils, rinsed
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 large Ontario sweet potato, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
plain yogurt

In large pot, heat oil over medium heat and cook onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander seed and turmeric; cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

Add broth, lentils, 1-1/2 cups water, tomato paste, salt, pepper and cayenne; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add sweet potato; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook until lentils and potato are tender, about 15 minutes.

Serve topped with yogurt and chopped coriander, if desired.