Warm up with this carrot, lentil and cumin soup recipe

Rich and deeply-flavored, carrots and red lentils are gently simmered with vegetables and a medley of spices, the soup fragrant with notes of cumin, cardamom, garam masala, smoked paprika and a hint of cayenne pepper. One bite, and you might never guess the dish is vegetarian, or that it comes together so quickly and easily.

SALLY LUNN’S CARROT, LENTIL AND CUMIN SOUP

Total time: 55 minutes | Makes about 3 quarts soup

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds carrots, peeled and chopped

3 large stalks celery, chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 leeks, white and light green only, chopped

1/3 lemon, chopped (both peel and segments)

6 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tablespoon ground cumin, more to taste

1 teaspoon ground cardamom, more to taste

2 teaspoons garam masala , more to taste

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, more to taste

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more to taste

1/2 pound red lentils

8 cups vegetable broth or water, more as needed

Salt and pepper

1. In a medium, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Stir in the carrots, celery, onion, leeks, lemon and garlic, along with the cumin, cardamom, garam masala, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened and the spices are aromatic, 6 to 8 minutes.

2. Stir in the lentils and broth, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, loosely cover and cook until the vegetables and lentils are tender, about 20 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and season with 2 teaspoons salt and three-fourths teaspoon pepper, or as desired. Purée the soup either using a hand blender or in batches using a stand blender. Check the soup for consistency, adding additional liquid if desired to thin. Taste and adjust the spices and seasonings if desired.

Each of 12 (1 cup) servings: Calories 146; Protein 7 grams; Carbohydrates 24 grams; Fiber 6 grams; Fat 3 grams; Saturated fat 0; Cholesterol 0; Sugar 6 grams; Sodium 820 mg.

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noelle.carter@latimes.com

@noellecarter