When I was still living in New Jersey, Spring meant I was in the kitchen even more than I already was. You would be able to find me either laying on the hammock or in the kitchen cooking with summer’s freshest veggies and devouring freshly churned ice cream. This past Sunday reminded me of the start of the season back on the east coast, when you would get as excited to just be outside as a child on Christmas Eve. I miss the cherry blossom trees blooming, filling the warmer days with sweet smells of a garden. Through dusty desert winds I’m longing for the green and liveliness of Spring, plus I’ve taken the effort to buy good quality, and local food, so I need to put it to good use. What better inspiration than looking through one of my favorite cookbooks by Sophie Dahl, her photographs alone make you feel like you’re walking through an English garden, but then her food just looks effortlessly delicious and good for you…which it is! I’ve been craving comfort food, but it’s been a little crazy at work, and there isn’t all that much time to make lunch, so soup it is!
Lemony Lentil Soup
Ingredients {Recipe Adapted from Very Fond of Food}
2 cups – Red Lentils
5 cups – Stock {I actually used water in my soup, but feel free to use any flavor you’d like}
3 – Bay Leaves
3 tablespoons – Olive Oil
1 tablespoon – Minced Garlic
2 large – Celery Stalks {finely chopped}
1 tablespoon – Ground Cumin
Juice of 3 Lemons
Salt and Pepper {to taste}
1 cup – Water
2 cups – Fresh Spinach {coarsely chopped}
1/2 cup – Freshly Chopped Cilantro
Recipe {Makes 6 servings}
In a large saucepan, cover the lentils and bay leaves with the 5 cups of stock {or water if using instead} and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer over low heat, uncovered until the lentils are very soft. {about 30 minutes}While the lentils cook, heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and celery, cooking for about 2 minutes, add in the cumin and other tablespoon of olive oil, and cook for another 5 minutes. Add this mixture and the lemon juice to the cooked lentils. Remove the bay leaves and season to taste. {I added a bit of jalapeno hot sauce for a kick}Allow everything to cool for bit before pureeing it in the blender. You’ll have to divide the mixture in two batches. adding the extra water to get the desired consistency. I like a more liquidy soup, so I usually add more water. Pour the soup back into your large saucepan, add the spinach and half the cilantro, reheat, and season to taste.A freshly squeezed lemon and a sprinkling of the remainder cilantro makes this a perfect lunch to enjoy on the balcony.
