Serves: 4
Total Calories: 141

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion chopped
4 cloves garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup dried red lentils rinsed and drained
5 cups water or unsalted vegetable stock
1 teaspoon sea salt
pinch cayenne pepper

1. Heat the oil in a large heavy kettle over mediumlow heat. Add the onion and sauté about 5 minutes or until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes more, then add the mustard and fennel seeds and continue to sauté another 2 minutes. Add the turmeric and cumin, and sauté another minute.
2. Stir the lentils and water into the kettle. Increase the heat to high, then cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes or until the beans are soft and the soup has thickened.
3. Add the salt and simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Stir the cayenne pepper (if using) into the soup before serving.

For a Change . . .
* For a thicker version of this soup that you can serve over a bed of rice, reduce the water to 3 cups.

HELPFUL TIP
You can vary the spices in dal and other curry recipes according to your taste and the seasons. In the summer, for instance, you may wish to omit the garlic because eating garlic makes you feel warmer. In the winter, adding a tablespoon of grated ginger will increase the warming properties. And if you are in a hurry, forgo the different spices and simply add a heaping tablespoon of good quality curry powder or garam masala.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 4
Total Calories: 141
Calories from Fat: 60

More Recipes from the Vicki's Vegan Kitchen Cookbook:
Soup Making Tips
Sprouted Pea Soup
Lentil Soup
Baby Lima Bean Soup
Kale, Cabbage, and White Bean Soup
Great Garnishes
Masoor Kidal
Tuscan White Bean Soup
New Brunswick Chowder
Carrot and Rice Cream
Potato Kale Soup
Potage Of Cauliflower and Leek
Cream of Three Mushroom Soup
Under Pressure Cream of Broccoli
Grandma's Potato Soup
Summer Squash and Coconut Curry Soup
Chestnut Porcini Bisque
Simple Ideas for Filling Your Lunchbox
Soupe Provencal (Garlic Soup)
Earsly Spring Miso Soup
Emerald Miso Soup
Southwestern Tomato Squash Soup
Greens and Rice Soup
Ruby Red Borscht
My Best Summer Vegetable Soup
Tofu Dumplings
Creamy Pine Nut Gazpacho
Avocado Vichyssoise
Gazpacho Supreme
Don't Get Stick in a Sliced Bread Rut
Sandwiches
Avocados Rule!
Vegan Cheese Please
Seitan Subterfuge
Veggie Delights
Spread That Bread!
There's Is No Fu Like a Tofu
Beans to the Rescue
Create a Wrap