CURRIED RED LENTIL SOUP WITH TOASTED COCONUT

Curried Red Lentil Soup With Toasted Coconut image

Fresh ginger along with plenty of earthy spices like turmeric and coriander add complexity to this otherwise unassuming lentil soup. The dish is perfect for a weeknight as the legumes here cook fairly quickly. Pairing the lentils with bold, warming spices gives them a big boost of flavor in a short amount of time. To make the soup feel extra special, toast coconut flakes for a crunchy topping, and put out bowls of roughly chopped cilantro, thinly sliced scallions and lime wedges, so guests can top their soup as they please. If you're feeling ambitious, a topping of fried shallots seasoned with flaky salt would also be nice.

Provided by Colu Henry

Categories dinner, easy, lunch, quick, weekday, soups and stews, main course

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 cup red lentils
5 cups vegetable stock or water
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
Cilantro, scallions and lime wedges, for serving (optional)

Steps:

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and the carrot, and cook until they begin to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the garlic and ginger, and cook 1 minute more, adding a small drizzle of olive oil and lowering the heat if necessary to make sure they don't burn. Stir in the curry powder, turmeric and ground coriander and cook for about 30 seconds more until fragrant.
Add the lentils and vegetable stock, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the flavors have melded and the lentils are soft and cooked through, about 30 minutes. If you prefer your soup looser, add in 1/2 to 1 cup more water and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer until heated through.
While the soup simmers, heat a medium skillet over low heat. Toast the coconut flakes, stirring frequently, until they are lightly golden and fragrant, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Taste the soup and adjust seasonings. Serve in bowls and pass the coconut flakes at the table. If desired, serve with bowls of cilantro, scallions and lime wedges at the table.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 299, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 39 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 915 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams