Delicious Lentil Soup
It’s that time of year again when the weather is cooler and you want to soothe yourself with something warm and hearty. I love lentil soup. But first, a few quick facts about lentils. Lentils are the gentlest grain on your digestive system. Not only do they help prevent constipation because of the large quantity of fiber in them, they also have a very high level of iron. And iron is essential for transporting oxygen throughout your body. If you have blood sugar issues, lentils are good for that too. Again, the fiber slows down digestion to provide long lasting energy instead of a crash and burn effect. Lentils also help lower cholesterol levels, which means your arteries are clean, which means you reduce your risk of heart disease. So eat up and enjoy!
DELICIOUS LENTIL SOUP
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 small onion, minced
1 large celery rib, minced
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1-inch piece of ginger, shredded
1 large carrot, chopped
1 bay leaf
1 cup brown lentils
3 cups broth of your choice (or water)
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Spinach or kale (optional)
Create your soup base. In a large pot, add extra virgin olive oil. When the oil is hot, add cumin seeds and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute). Then add your minced onion, celery, garlic, ginger, carrot, and bay leaf. Sauté until soft (about 2 to 3 minutes).
Assemble the soup. Add brown lentils and broth (or water) along with sea salt and pepper. Cover and cook on medium-low heat for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. The soup is done when the lentils are tender but still holding their shape.
Serving suggestion. Add greens like spinach or kale at the end if you would like.
Allow the soup to settle for about an hour before eating for the best flavor.
For more recipes for Sohour, Iftar and desserts as well as hydration and SOS tips..make sure you download your FREE Ramadan Guide here: http://danadinnawi.com/ramadan-guide/…
Dana Dinnawi is an Integrative Nutrition health coach specializing in empowering women to improve their health and family life. She received her training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where she studied more than one hundred dietary theories and a variety of practical lifestyle coaching methods. She can be reached through her website and Facebook page.
