Spice Tamarind Lentil Soup

Ingredients

2 Tbs oil

1 onion, diced (cone #3)

2-inch piece ginger (cone #1) 

4 garlic cloves (cone #1) 

1/2 tsp coriander seeds

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1 cup split red lentils, rinsed

3 cups water or vegetable broth

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp himalayan salt

3 oz tamarind paste

4 Tbs tomato puree

3 Tbs tamarind paste (adjust to taste)

1/4 cup cilantro

 

Directions

Heat pan. Add oil and fry onion until soft. Add ginger and garlic and fry a few more minutes. 

Toast coriander and cumin seeds in dry pan on low heat until fragrant (about a minute), then grind into a powder. Add this to the pan, along with lentils, water/broth, and other spices.

After about 10 minutes, add tamarind paste and tomato puree. Cook another 10 minutes on low heat for flavors to meld. Transfer to a blender or use immersion blender to smooth.  Adjust seasonings, drizzle with olive oil and cilantro.