Fairy Soup

I bought a Garden Fairy on Friday! 

Till spring arrives, I've assigned her the task of chasing off all the dust bunnies.

When she gets hungry, I have the perfect dish for her...

Cauliflower and Red Lentil Soup :)

We eat a LOT of soup in this house - here's one I put together on Thursday evening. I make this quite often because it's very nutritious, fast, easy and I almost always have these ingredients on hand. 

2-3 teaspoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 celery stalks, sliced

2 carrots, sliced

1-2 cloves garlic, minced (I use 2)

1 red jalapeno, seeded and minced (I use red pepper flakes - about 1/2 tsp)

4 cups cauliflower florets (break these apart as small as you can)

1/2 cup dry whole red lentils, sorted and rinsed

1 small bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (I use 1 tsp)

1/2 tsp curry powder

pinch of allspice

6 cups vegetable broth (I often use 1/2 veg & 1/2 chicken)

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk (the cherry on top, but optional - good with or without)

Saute onion, celery and carrot until very lightly browned. Add garlic, pepper (jalapeno or flakes) and spices; saute until fragrant. Add lentils, bay leaf and broth; cover and simmer about 25-30 minutes. Add cauliflower, cover, simmer until tender. Remove bay leaf. Stir in coconut milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

I suggest doubling (or even tripling) this recipe as it doesn't make a whole lot; the pot will be empty before you know it and you'll be wanting MORE!