Spicy Lentil and Spinach Soup
For those of you who don't like spicy food, I would suggest to reduce the amount of crushed red peppers in this recipe. My boyfriend likes spicy food, and even he thought it was very hot.
Personally, I love spicy food. Which is only natural considering my family. We knew all of the stores that sold hot salsa (sadly, so few around where I live) and would put hot sauce on everything. I remember my brother dousing his scrambled eggs in Tabasco until it looked more red than anything.
This soup is the ultimate warm hug on a cold day. And with snow already starting to pile on the ground, this might be the perfect soup to warm up to. Heck, you can even add some crushed up candy canes to this soup if you really feel the need.
(I promise I will make Christmasy baking soon!)
If you try this recipe, let me know! Rate it, leave a comment and tag me with #atasteofmadness on Instagram! I always love seeing what you are creating!
Spicy Lentil and Spinach Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ cup onion, chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 9 ½ cups (or more) water
- 2 ½ cups dried lentils
- 1 cup baby spinach
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion, celery, carrots and garlic and sauté until golden, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the chili powder, ginger, bay leaf, and dried crushed red pepper. Add 9 ½ cups water and dried lentils and bring to boil. When the soup is boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until lentils are tender, about 35 minutes. Add the spinach, and simmer until spinach is wilted, around 5 minutes.
What a beautiful hearty soup,thanks for sharing !
Thanks Kathy! Hope you give it a go!
Oh I just made soup yesterday. This one looks delish! Escpecially with the chili powder and ginger in it. Marking this to make next!
Lentils and spinach are my favourites. The soup looks very tasty and warming!
Oh! This lentil soup look so hearty...nothing like a bowl soup to warm you up...beautiful pictures!
Hope you are enjoying your week 🙂
Love the warm spices in this soup Cathleen, though I am more of a medium heat spice girl, than a super spicy girl!
You make the healthiest and the best dishes, so cool 😀
Great way to warm up before the desserts 😉
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I love any and all soups! And lentil is one of my favorites. Really good recipe -- like the spinach in it. Thanks.
Hahah see how I mentioned how soup rocks in response to you on my blog? I didn't even see this until now - great minds and all that 😉 This looks fantastic! x
Yeah, Cathleen... You need a good "warm up" first before baking gingerbreads and cookies for Xmas!!! :p
I have definitely been in soup mode also! Love this healthy version stuffed with so much goodness.
Perfect, that looks lovely 🙂
There's nothing better than a delicious and warming soup in December!