Pacific Rim Red Lentil Soup Food

RED LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Combine the lentils, garlic, chile, ginger, onions, tomatoes and enough water to cover in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then lower the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Whisk the cooked lentils to release some of their starch and break them down further.
• Warm the oil in a small saute pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and cook until they are sizzling and spluttering. Stir in the paprika and turmeric. Pour the seasoned oil onto the lentils (be prepared for a big sizzle). Stir to combine; sprinkle with salt and a small drizzle of honey. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with cilantro, a drizzle of yogurt, lemon or lime wedges.

RED LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the ginger and heat, stirring, for about a minute. Add the ground cumin and stir another 30 seconds.
• Add the onion and carrots and cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently.
• Add the lentils and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the lentils are soft.
• Remove from heat and puree with an immersion blender (or in batches in a blender or food processor). Add salt and pepper to taste, although I usually do not add any.
• Add a squeeze of lemon in each serving, if you wish - I find that it adds a bright note.
• Note: A spoonful of plain yogurt is a nice addition.

PACIFIC RIM PORK AND NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• Whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin, rice wine, five-spice powder, and sesame oil in a large glass bowl.
• Add the pork, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
• Remove pork from marinade and add to the skillet.
• Stir-fry, a few pieces at a time, until the pork begins to color, 3-4 minutes.
• Transfer the pork to the insert of a 5-7 quart slow cooker.
• Add the ginger and garlic to the same skillet and stir-fry 1 minute, until fragrant.
• Add the onion, bok choy, and carrots; stir-fry until vegetables are softened, 3-4 minutes.
• Deglaze the skillet with 1 cup of broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Transfer the contents of the skillet to the slow cooker insert.
• Add the remaining 7 cups broth to the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours, until the pork and vegetables are tender.
• Add the noodles and green onions; cover and cook an additional 45 minutes.
• Serve the soup garnished with toasted sesame seeds.

EGYPTIAN RED LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Add the first 5 ingredients to a large pot; cover and bring to a boil.
• Lower the heat and simmer 15-20 minutes or until the lentils and veggies are tender.
• Take pot from stove burner and set aside.
• In a small saucepan, add the oil; warm over low heat until the oil is hot but not smoking.
• Add in the cumin, turmeric, and salt; cook and stir constantly for for 2-3 minutes or until the cumin has released its fragrance (be careful not to scorch the spices).
• Set spice mixture aside for 1 minute to cool.
• Stir spice mixture into the lentil mixture; add cilantro, stir to combine.
• You can puree the soup, in batches, in a blender OR you can use an immersion blender and blend to desired texture (I like to leave it a little chunky).
• Add in lemon juice; stir to combine.
• Rewarm soup in soup pot; season if needed with salt/pepper.