On this particular visit we all had the Spicy Lentil Soup. When I asked our server what created the “spice” in this particular soup she said it was made with onion, carrot and celery. Hmmm. I needed another approach. I said the soup sounded delicious and asked if she knew if there were any chili peppers in the soup… to which she said she’d ask the chef for more details. Bingo. She came back with there’s cumin and a little cinnamon. Not exactly a treasure trove of information but enough when combined with a taste test. I think this might be my favorite lentil soup… for the moment. I love that little add of cinnamon… so unexpected and not necessarily discernable… but I truly believe in those pinches of flavor that add a subtle, yet important note to the end result. I can’t recall if there were any peppers in the Celilo soup but I added both roasted piquillos and sweet red peppers (from jars) and found they add a perfect little pop of flavor and subtle heat.
This is really a very simple lentil soup that is built upon a good sauté of veggies and a combination of dried spices that add that discernable “spice” to the soup’s name… along with that onion, carrot and celery!
Spicy Lentil Soup
Inspired by the Spicy
Lentil Soup served at Celilo Restaurant in Hood River, OR
Makes approximately 6 to 8 cups
To mimic the size of
the lentils in this soup, dice veggies to an approximate ¼” to 3/8” size. Serve
with some hearty French bread and a leafy green salad for a light dinner or
generous lunch.
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 cup diced onion (about ½ large onion)
1 cup diced carrot (about 1 large carrot)
¾ cup diced celery (about 2 medium stalks)
1 ½ tablespoons ground cumin
½ tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground tumeric
¼ cup diced roasted piquillo peppers (from jar – about 2
peppers)
½ cup diced roasted sweet red pepper (from jar – about 2
peppers)
1 ½ cups brown lentils (rinsed and drained)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
32 ounces broth (chicken or vegetable; I used Imagine No
Chicken Broth)
2 to 2 ½ cups water
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add onion,
carrot and celery to pot and sauté for about 10-12 minutes; until onion is
translucent and carrot softens but still has a bite. Add spices (cumin through
turmeric) and heat through with vegetables; about 1 to 2 minutes. Add peppers
to pot, sautéing for another minute or two. Add lentils and season with kosher
salt and pepper. Add broth, red wine vinegar and 2 cups water. Simmer soup over medium to medium
low heat for approximately 45 minutes, until lentils have cooked through. Add additional ½ cup
water if soup needs thinning.
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