How To Make Lentil Soup

Lentil Soup Recipe. A hearty and warming lentil soup which is bursting with nutrients.
You will need…

* 35 g lentils (small brown type)
* 4 medium tomatoes
* 100 ml olive oil
* 1 large bunch flat-leaf parsley
* 2 to 3 garlic cloves, peeled
* 1 dessert spoon cumin seeds (or ground cumin)
* 1 dessert spoon sweet paprika
* 1 tsp hot chilli flakes or powder
* Salt
* 1 ltr water (approx)
* 1 medium pot with lid
* 1 chopping board
* 1 large knife
* 1 small knife
* 1 wooden spoon
* 1 colander
* Kitchen paper

Step 1:
Rinse and drain the lentils
Place the lentils in the colander and rinse them well under a cold tap. Drain and shake off any excess water.
Step 2:
Core and dice the tomatoes
Remove the cores from the tomatoes then dice them into approximately 1 centimetre cubes.
Step 3:
Chop the garlic
Finely chop the garlic.
Step 4:
Heat the oil
Over a medium heat, warm the oil in a cooking pot.
Step 5:
Cook the chopped garlic
When hot, add the chopped garlic and cook for roughly one minute, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
Step 6:
Add the spices
Add the cumin seeds, paprika and chilli flakes and stir for a further minute.
Step 7:
Stew the tomatoes
Add the tomatoes, turn the heat up slightly and stew for approximately 3 minutes.
Step 8:
Add the lentils
Add the strained lentils and stir well.
Step 9:
Add water
Pour about a litre of water into the pan, bring back to a boil and cover.
Step 10:
Cook
When boiling, turn down the heat to a simmer and cook for roughly thirty minutes or until the lentils are soft.
Step 11:
Prepare the parsley
Rinse the parsley under a cold tap and pat it dry with some kitchen paper. Spread it along a cutting board and chop coarsely, discarding any of the larger stalks.
Step 12:
Season and add parsley
After thirty minutes, add some salt to season, the chopped parsley and more water if desired.
Step 13:
Serve the lentil soup
Ladle the lentil soup into bowls and serve with warm, crusty bread.