Red Lentil Soup With Cloves

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 1/2 cups red lentils, rinsed and drained
• 7 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 6 whole cloves, tied in a bouquet garni (cheesecloth)
• 2 slices peeled fresh ginger
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 3 -4 teaspoons salt, more to taste
• fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 2 -3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, more,to taste
• 1/2 cup small cubes of unsweetened bread (for croutons)
• olive oil, for sauteing bread croutons
• lime wedge

Recipe

• 1 put the lentils, water, turmeric, cloves, ginger and garlic into a large pot and simmer, partially covered, until lentils become soft, 45 minutes to an hour, or use a pressure cooker to reduce the cooking time.
• 2 remove the cloves (in the bouquet garni) and puree the soup with a hand blender, or in a blender.
• 3 season with salt, pepper and lime juice, to taste.
• 4 saute the bread cubes in a bit of olive oil until slightly browned and crisped and drain.
• 5 serve the soup with the bread croutons and lime wedges, on the side.
• 6 enjoy!