Cozy Creamy Sweet Potato & Red Lentil Soup

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1.5 pounds), peeled and diced
• 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish (optional)
• Juice of half a lemon (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
2. Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the pot and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
3. Stir in the diced sweet potatoes, rinsed red lentils, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Cook for 2-3 minutes to toast the spices lightly.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 25 minutes or until the lentils and sweet potatoes are tender.
5. Remove the pot from heat. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup to your desired consistency — smooth or slightly chunky. Alternatively, carefully transfer half the soup to a blender, blend, and return it to the pot.
6. Stir in the coconut milk and warm through on low heat for 3-5 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
7. Optional: Add fresh lemon juice for brightness and stir well.
8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley if desired. Enjoy with crusty bread or a simple side salad.

Chef tips

• If you don’t have red lentils, yellow lentils or split peas can be substituted but cooking times might vary slightly.
• To make this soup vegan, ensure the vegetable broth is plant-based.
• For a thicker soup, reduce the broth by a half cup or blend more thoroughly.
• If coconut milk is not preferred, use heavy cream or a dairy-free alternative like cashew cream—note this will change the flavor slightly.
• If red lentils are not rinsed well, the soup may develop a slightly bitter taste. Rinse thoroughly under cold water before cooking.