Recipe: Warming Orange Spice and Lentil Soup

Cheap, colourful and healthy, this easy dish should be a staple of any vegan’s repertoire. Feel free to add extra vegetables such as squash or sweet potatoes. 

Warming Orange Spice and Lentil Soup 1–2 Tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced into 1-cm cubes 2 carrots, diced into 1-cm cubes 2 celery stalks, diced into 1-cm pieces 1 litre water 2 bay leaves 200 g red lentils 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp sweet paprika 1/4 tsp fenugreek 1/8 tsp asafoetida 60–80 ml orange juice Zest of 1 orange Salt and pepper, to taste

• Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots and celery and sauté until the vegetables start to soften.
• Add the water, bay leaves and red lentils and bring to boil. Add the salt and spices, cover and simmer until the lentils are soft, about 15 minutes.
• Add the orange juice and zest, season with salt and pepper to taste and cook for 2 more minutes.
• Serve with crusty bread.

Makes 2 to 4 servings