Lentil Vegetable Soup
December 9th, 2009 filed under Dal (Lentils), Soups and Salads
Lentil soup is healthy and very satisfying dish. Its a great soup for lunch served with bread.
Recipe will serve 4.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup lentils (masoor dal)
- 1 cup of carrots, sliced in 1/2 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup of green string beans, sliced ½ inch pieces
- 1 cup of celery, sliced in ½ inch pieces
- 3 medium size tomatoes cut into 8 pieces
- About ½ inch ginger thin sliced
- 1½ teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (haldi)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Chaunk (seasoning):
- 2 tablespoon clarified butter (ghee) or 2 tablespoons oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seed (jeera)
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- Half a lemon
Method:
- Wash lentils and soak in 2 cups of water for 1 hour or longer. Once soaked, the lentils should be about double in volume.
- Heat 4 cups of water in a pressure cooker on medium high heat. Next add soaked lentils, salt, turmeric, black pepper, ginger, carrots, green beans, celery, and tomatoes.
- Close the pressure cooker and put the weight (or seal the exhaust).
- As the pressure cooker starts steaming turn the heat down to medium and cook for about 6 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and wait until steam has stopped before opening the pressure cooker.
- Mix dal well, if dal is thick add more boiling water and make the consistency as you desire. Soup should be chunky.
Chaunk (seasoning):
- For seasoning (chaunk) heat the butter in a small saucepan, add cumin seeds and wait until cumin seed crack. Then pour it over the soup.
- Add garam masala to the soup and mix it well.
- Before serving squeeze a few drops of lemon juice.
Dear Manjula, I discovered your site accidentally as I was looking for a recipe for naan bread. I wish to share in the positive comments. I particularly like the way you make us feel welcome in your own kitchen. Your recipes are easy to follow, and tasty. Thank you, Gabriella
Fantastic!!
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve made this for my family – they love it.
Quick, simple, easy.
Many thanks,
James
Manjula,
I am so glad I found your site! Watching you cook reminds me of being in the kitchen with my Grandma – you make me smile.
I prepared your Lentil Vegetable Soup today and my family enjoyed it very much. The flavor was complex, though the recipe was easy! I appreciate that you teach the authentic names for ingredients and offer explanation of the items. Thank you for sharing these wonderful dishes with us!
Dear Manjula,
I just want to thank you for all your recepies my husband and son loves them very much, I’ve learned so much from your recepies and tips that don’t even believe how easy it is.
Thank you.
I love your all your recipes! Keep ‘em coming! Thanks, its realllyyy helpful esp to someone who is learning to cook!
hi majula , id like to know how i could cook this soup without a Pressure Cooker ?
thanks
Miss Manjula,
This soup is wonderful! I made it tonight and my husband and I enjoyed it so very much. It is a perfect blend of flavors. The squeezed fresh lemon juice adds just the right amount of tanginess.
I can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
Thank you so much for this website!
I tried some of your recipes. It came really good.
Thanks for your recipes.
Dear Manjula Aunty,
I tried the soup and it came out really delicious – wife and two little kids (6 & 3) all of them enjoyed it.
Thank you very much for the simple & wonderful recipe.
Manjula, do you have a good recipe for sambar soup? Have just found your site and really love it. Many thanks, Gil