Healing Lentil Tumeric Soup
It's January in Southern California and the temperatures have plummeted. Wearing sweaters and jackets has become the norm, but so has cooking various soups and chilies. Sometimes the occasional cold comes around and I'm thinking I want something different than the same old chicken soup. I've only got lentils in the pantry, fresh rosemary growing in my garden and some spices in the cabinet. I know what to make!! Lentil soup. This dish is affordable to make with the minimal ingredients in your pantry and probably costs less than $7 for the entire thing! This dish will last for a few days even though you are only using a cup of lentils.
I use turmeric in this dish, not just for the flavor and color it adds to the dish but for its amazing health benefits. There are even supplements for the active compound in turmeric that have a pretty impressive health profile. Known as the "spice of life," turmeric has been used in curry spice blends and as a healing herb for thousands of years throughout India and many parts of Asia. Tumeric boosts strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Hidden deep within the turmeric root are compounds called curcuminoids which have this unique ability to block an enzyme that causes inflammation and combat free radical damage throughout the body while including organs such as the heart and brain. Aside from combatting harmful inflammation, turmeric is anti-aging, good for the heart, protects against cognitive decline, helps to balance blood sugar, relieves joint aches and pains, and gives you brighter and healthier skin. I would try to include this herb as much as you can in your cooking.
Then, this dish uses red lentils. Those cute lentils have their own unique health profile. Red lentils are high in B vitamins, including folate. This is important for all pregnant women who usually have to take folate supplements to prevent neural tube defects. Eating one cup of cooked red lentils provides 90% of the daily folate needed by adults. Also, lentils are good for both us and the environment. Lentils are nitrogen-fixing crops that convert nitrogen in the atmosphere to ammonia which is easily metabolized by plants. Lentils are a rich source of both protein and fiber. Lentils lower your cholesterol, keep your red blood cells healthy, improve digestion, improve blood sugar control, and alleviate fatigue. So, go ahead and start making some delicious lentil dishes.
I also added onions, celery, and carrots and sauteed it all with olive oil. This is one healthy and delicious dish I know you will just love! So, give it a try. It's great for your body and your wallet!
Ingredients:
1 cup red lentils
1 large onion, chopped
2 sticks carrots, chopped
3 sticks celery, chopped
1/4 c olive oil
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp black pepper
dash of salt
2-3 stalks fresh rosemary, leaves only
5 cups water
Instructions:
In a large Dutch oven, add the olive oil. Saute the onions, carrots, and celery on medium heat until the carrots soften. Add the cumin, turmeric, and black pepper to the vegetables and stir to coat. Add lentils and the fresh rosemary. Stir for about 1-2 minutes for the flavors to blend together. Add about 5 cups water and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 25 minutes. Using a hand blender, blend a little of the soup but leave chunks of carrots, celery, and onion in the soup for texture. That's it! Enjoy this easy, one-pot healthy meal!
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