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Protein-Rich, Immune-Boosting Red Lentil Soup

Protein-Rich, Immune-Boosting Red Lentil Soup

When the cold days arrive and we have a runny nose and sore throat, this soup comes as a comfort in a bowl. It is warm, nourishing, easy to digest, and packed with veggies and herbs. It is not a thick soup which makes it just perfect for the days when you feel sick and doesn’t have the appetite, energy, or the mood to eat anything. Just one bowl is enough to make you feel all charged up and better. It has all the ingredients to boost your immunity and heal you from the inside.

Story Time

I come from India. So, we make different kinds of lentils almost every day and that is why I never felt like making lentil soup. But some time back, my neighbor got sick. She was down with covid and was very ill. She lost her appetite and the energy to cook anything. I decided to cook for her. That was the time I made lentil soup for her. I loaded it with veggies so that she can get all the vitamins and minerals and since they were finely chopped she didn’t have to chew them. I didn’t make it thick like the usual lentil soup but made it thin so that it is easy to consume and digest. Since I come from India, I even added some spices and herbs which I know help with the cold and cough.

Her verdict, she lost her taste senses but she could taste the soup 🙂 I think it was just an exaggeration out of love but what I can believe is that this soup cured her. She still tells me that my soup healed her and made her feel better and she was actually on her toes in just 2 days. That is the magic of natural food.

Which season is best for Lentil Soup?

This soup is just perfect for the winter season or at times when you are sick and not feeling good. You can consume it when you don’t have the appetite to eat anything but obviously, you have to eat something to get the energy and feel better. It is light, healthy, packed with veggies and herbs, and heals you from the inside. It is nutritious and good to strengthen your immune system.

How to make vegetable broth for Lentil Soup?

You can easily get vegetable broth or bouillon cubes from the stores. You can use them to make soup. But making broth at home is very simple and easy. You can make vegetable broth at home using all the vegetable discards. Even the peels of the veggies contain so much nutrition. But if you worry about the dirt or the pesticides, better to peel and then use them.

You can add different herbs and spices too in the broth but we are already adding that in the soup so you don’t need to. You can make the broth by just adding whatever veggies you have at home. Here is the detailed recipe for veggie broth.

Easy Swaps

  1. Lentil: Replace it with yellow moong dal or green moong dal. You can even use a combination of these two.
  2. Spices and Herbs: You can use coriander leaves, thyme, basil, dill leaves, garlic powder, onion powder, asafoetida, etc.
  3. Broth: Use water instead.
  4. Vegetable: Use any veggie that is available like cauliflower, potato, green peas, eggplant, cherry tomatoes, etc.

Is this recipe vegan?

Yes. This recipe is vegan. All the ingredients used in this recipe are vegan and plant-based.

More Vegan Recipes: Vegan Pesto Pasta, Vietnamese Summer Rolls, and Mushroom Sauce Pasta.

Can we store this soup?

This veggie lentil soup can be refrigerated for up to 2 to 3 days. Reheat while serving.

You can even freeze this soup for around 2 to 3 weeks. I don’t prefer the freezing option but if you have time constraints then go with it.

More Delicious Soup Recipes

  1. Vegan Chilli Ramen
  2. Noodle Soup
  3. Mango Dal Rasam
  4. Creamy and Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Now grab all the ingredients because you are ready to make this delicious, aromatic, and flavorful veggie lentil soup at home. It is perfect to make in this cold weather. You will feel warm and comforted. So, make it, snug yourself in the bed and enjoy this soup.

It is best to consume it over lunch or dinner. It makes a delicious and light meal.

If you try this recipe & like it too, please share the photo of your creation on Instagram and tag us @thefearlesscooking. We just love to see your recreation of our recipes.

Happy Cooking 🙂

Love

Richa

Protein-Rich, Immune-Boosting Red Lentil Soup

Light. Immune-Boosting. Nutritious.

Are you feeling sick? Do you have a runny nose and sore throat? Have you lost your appetite and the mood to eat anything? 

Then you must try this veggie lentil soup. It is rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is warm, healing, easy to digest, and very comforting.

3

Servings

15 min

Prep Time

40 min

Cook Time

55 min

Total Time


Ingredients

Cooked Dal

Vegetables

Spices and Herbs

Other

Steps

Cook Dal
  1. Wash lentils 2 to 3 times with water. 
  2. Put them in the Instant Pot, add spices and 2 Cups of water, and pressure cook for 10 minutes or until soft and mushy.
  3. You can cook until soft in a pressure cooker or pan.
  4. Once done, let it depressurize itself.
Make Soup
  1. In a pan, heat some oil. 
  2. Once the oil is heated, add cumin seeds and fennel seeds. Saute for a few seconds. 
  3. Add onion, garlic, and ginger and saute for a minute or until the onions are translucent. Keep the flame on medium-high.
  4. Do not brown the onions.
  5. Add tomatoes and cook until soft. It takes around two minutes.
  6. Once the tomatoes are soft, add the rest of the finely chopped veggies (except spinach or greens) and saute for a minute or two. 
  7. Then add the cooked lentil, the rest of the spices, herbs (except chives), and vegetable broth. Mix everything well. Let it cook for around 10 to 15 minutes or until you don't see the scum (or foamy layer) on top. 
  8. You can even remove the scum using a spoon.
  9. Once done, switch off the flame and add spinach leaves (or greens), chives, and lemon juice. Mix well. Close the lid and let it sit for 5 to 7 minutes. 
  10. Adjust the salt, if needed. Also, avoid lemon juice if you have a sore throat.
  11. Serve hot and enjoy.

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