Saturday, February 16, 2013

Spicy Curried Butternut Red Lentil Soup



     I may regret (or even deny) ever saying this, but I really would love to have just a little bit of that snow that other people are getting. Just a little bit, mind you. Not this much. Enough to be able to enjoy a day of being snowed in, but not enough to make my driveway impassable. Is that asking too much?

     I'm pretty sure I'd make soup. Maybe this one. Just spicy enough, with tender little chunks of butternut squash that create bursts of sweetness as they melt in your mouth. Perfect for a day of staying inside and looking out. I'll be flushing some ice cubes and wearing my jammies inside out and backwards tonight. Think that'll work?


Spicy Curried Butternut Red Lentil Soup
Ingredients
1 Tablespoon olive or coconut oil
1 medium to large onion, chopped (small dice)
1 Tablespoon ginger root, grated or diced (Freeze your ginger root, and it grates beautifully.)
1 butternut squash- peeled, seeded and cubed (smallish cubes, about the size you'd cut potatoes for potato salad) My butternut squash was about 2 pounds.
1 can light coconut milk
2 cups dried red lentils, washed
1 quart broth (vegetable or chicken)
1 Tablespoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder (or to taste)
Salt to taste

Directions
Heat oil (medium heat) in large soup pot.  Add onions and ginger and cook until onions are translucent.
Add curry powder and cayenne, and cook a few seconds until fragrant.
Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 30-40 minutes, or until lentils and squash are tender.  If, during cooking, soup gets too thick, add water or broth as needed. (Check often to make sure the lentils are not sticking to the bottom of your pan.)
If you prefer a smooth soup, use a blender (careful- it's hot!) to puree. I usually blend about 3/4 of the soup, and then add it back to the rest. That way there are still some chunks of sweet butternut in the soup.


29 comments:

  1. Your soup sounds great! Being a Philly Girl I totally understand what you're saying about snow:@)

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  2. The soup looks and sounds delicious. We are suppose to have more snow tonight. There was so much snow last weekend that it boarded on ridiculous.

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  3. Your soup looks amazing! I'll gladly send you 1/2 of our snow! There's another 8 inches expected . . . maybe! It's a wait & see game right now!

    Thank you for your visit today! I've enjoyed mine!

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  4. No snow? My sister in Stuart's Draft has been getting quite a bit I think. Here in the Chicago area, we've had almost none. Quite a surprise!! Snow or not, I'd love a bowl of that soup.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  5. Lovely bowl of soup! Would love to have the chance to experience snow! :)

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  6. This looks so good and perfect for cold weather.

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  7. I love red lentils! The soup looks delish.

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  8. What interesting sounding soup! I've never heard of flushing ice cubes or wearing jammies inside out. Gave me a good laugh.

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  9. Oh, I love lentil soup and this spicy version sounds delish! If we get anymore snow you are welcome to it :)

    PS...I'm not fond of raisins either! I always sub Craisins or dried cherries...glad I'm in good company!

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  10. I've been wanting some snow as well and now it looks like on Thursday we will be getting a winters mix. They're preparing for the worst like when we had the ice corm 4 years ago. We were without power for one week. Hopefully we won't lose power. This soup sounds like something I should consider especial if we get iced or snowed in.

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  11. I'm with you. I LOVE the snow... which is a good thing since I live in Boston :) Then again, I also live in an apartment building and don't have to do any cleanup or driving after a blizzard. This soup looks like the perfect snowed-in soup!

    Sues

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  12. I'm not really that into the snow, or cold weather...except that it gives me an excuse to eat soup like this all winter long!

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  13. Yes, this soup looks delicious, and so creamy...perfect to keep us warm in this cold weather.
    Enjoy the rest of your week Betty :)

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  14. I'm into beautiful winter landscapes.
    But...ohhh...how the cold unnerves me at times. I can't wait until warmer days.
    Until then, I'll content myself to keep warm with your flavourful soup Betty ;o)

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

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  15. As I went out to shovel the walk, once again, I realized that I was tired of snow. Perhaps a month early.

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  16. I'm with you on the just a little bit of snow- more like decorative snow not the kind you have to shovel!!!
    I love lentil soup so I'm thinking this would really hit the spot;-)
    Have a wonderful week Betty ;-)

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  17. The soup looks like the perfect comfort food for snowy weather!

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  18. Hello! I recently just started a youtube Korean food channel, EasyKoreanFood, where you can learn how to make fast & easy Korean food! It would mean the world to me if you could check it out because I'm just starting out! Thanks!

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  19. We haven't gotten any snow this year and I can't say I miss it. Oregon drivers don't know how to handle it. Your soup looks fantastic, Betty. Wish I had a bowl for breakfast.

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  20. This is just the kind of comfort food we love around here.

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  21. I'm with you, I LOVE a big old fashioned snow storm! Your soup sounds wonderful. I can't ever have enough curry recipes.

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  22. a little snow is definitely acceptable, you're right. i hope you get your wish, which isn't so farfetched if you're in virginia!
    lovely soup--the texture looks incredible!

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  23. Be careful what you wish for :) We got 9 inches last night and this morning. Soup is on the menu here too! Yours looks delicious.

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  24. At least it's not hot yet Betty. I would love a big snow but don't think we're going to get one. I am making some lentil and kale soup this weekend. I've posted it before and just can't get enough of it! Have a lovely weekend.

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  25. I love being snowed in too. I sometimes make soup too when I do. This soup sounds wonderful, so flavorful:)

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  26. I'm a little late here, but your soup sounds great. I could go for a big bowl of it right now! I'd gladly send you snow!!! We just got another 10" snow and I can't wait to see dirt!

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  27. I love curry but really haven't had too many lentils. Your soup looks very nutritious and satisfying. Nice photo.

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  28. Lentil soup makes for the best winter evening. We have been getting TONS of snow, so I will have to take advantage of this lovely recipe before fall arrives. Thank you for sharing!

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Thanks for stopping by scrambled hen fruit! I appreciate all of your comments and look forward to reading them.

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