Leftovers Lentil Soup

This is my entry for this month's No Croutons Required, where leftovers reign. After a quick perusal of my fridge and cupboards, I realised I would have to shop soon, but I had enough store cupboard essentials to get me by for a few days. I had a few carrots and a bit of celery left in the salad drawer, but that was about it. Throw in an onion and I figured that would make a good base for a lentil soup.

Leftovers Lentil Soup

1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
3 stalks celery, finely sliced
4 carrots, finely chopped
1 tsp chilli powder
4 pints/ 8 cups vegetable stock
1 ¼ cups red lentils
3 tsp balsamic vinegar
¾ cup coconut milk
salt and pepper

Saute the onion and celery in the olive oil until softened, then add the carrots. Cook gently for a few minutes. Sprinkle in the chilli powder and the stir in the vegetable stock before adding the red lentils. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 20 - 30 minutes, until the lentils have softened. Make sure to stir the soup occasionally to prevent the lentils from sticking to the pan. Add the balsamic vingear and coconut milk, then season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper before serving.

Serves 6-8

The chilli has a bit of a kick. If you are nervous of adding it, then just add half a teaspoon to begin with and add more at the end if you would like it hotter. If you have made it too hot, you can cool it down with more coconut milk, milk or soya milk.

There is still time to submit an entry to this month's No Croutons Required. You have until close of day on the 20th October 2009. So why not have a look at what you have sitting in your fridge and store cupboards and see if you can whip up a vegetarian soup or salad. The full rules can be found here.



In other news, I now have a shiny new laptop to replace the one that died. Yay! Having no pc for a week and a half was not pleasant, but I do so love my new laptop. I decided to upgrade to a Sony VGN-NW11SS and it is fab.