There is nothing like a comforting hot bowl of soup to make winter a tad more enjoyable. Add some spice to the mix and some nutritious green lentils and you have yourself a meal that will power you through another day of braving the cold.

Eating soup doesn’t have to be a bland experience, this recipe can attest to that.

To create this delicious soup, you will need:

1 cup of green lentils

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 liter of vegetable broth

1 large onion

3-4 carrots         

3 or 4 cups of dark leafy greens (Swiss chard, kale or spinach)

1 tablespoon of Medium Hot Curry Powder

1 teaspoon of garlic powder or 1 clove of fresh garlic

1 tablespoon of turmeric

1 tablespoon of oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Once you have gathered your ingredients, you will have to:

1-      Dice the carrots and onion

2-      Rinse the green lentils under cold water using a strainer

3-      Heat up some oil in a large pot and sauté the vegetables for a few minutes

4-      Add the lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes and spices to the pot

5-      Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer

6-      Let the soup cook for about 30 minutes

7-      Add your dark leafy greens at the end so they don’t overcook

This soup is easy and fast to make but if you are really lazy you can also make it in the crock pot. Simply put all your ingredients in the pot in the morning (except for your greens), and cook it on low for 4 to 6 hours and you will come home to a deliciously fragrant steamy meal. You can add your Swiss chard, kale or spinach and let it wilt for a few minutes before enjoying your soup.  

You can serve this dish with some vegan plain yogurt on top to balance out the heat. 

I hope you try this soup. It's a definite winner on cold days!

This recipe serves 3 to 4 people.

*Photo Credit: Whitney flickr Creative Commons 2.0