Lentil Soup to the Rescue!

I can't say enough good things about Lentil Soup.  Honestly.  Lentil Soup really makes the first 10 days of this Program that much more enjoyable!  About a year ago I was on the SP Purification program and had a bad experience with lentils...trust me when I say that I have the ability to really mess up recipes even if they are foolproof.  Anyway, last cleanse (January 2010) a couple patients of ours talked me into making this little bean again.  And all I have to say is it has been my favorite soup ever since!  I am constantly searching for new ways to make this soup and I happen to get my Standard Process newsletter in the mail last week, and what do you know...a Lentil Soup Recipe!  So I thought I would share it with you so you can try it too! 

Vegetarian Lentil Soup with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Cumin

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds (not ground)
• 1 large onion, chopped small
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• Fresh ground black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 cups brown lentils
• 4 cans vegetable broth or water
• 1 can diced tomatoes with juice (14.5 oz.)
• 2 cups chopped spinach (tightly packed)
• Sea salt to taste

Directions:

Put olive oil and cumin seeds in large heavy dutch oven and cook over medium heat until fragrant and starting to pop, about 3 minutes.  Make sure to stir a few times so they don't burn.  Stir in onion, minced garlic, ground coriander, and black pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are softened, about 4 minutes.  Stir in the paprika and cook about 1 minute more. 

Add lentils and veggie broth/water, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered about 30-40 minutes, or until lentils are quite tender.  Add diced tomatoes and juice and chopped spinach and simmer uncovered 20-30 more minutes, until soup ingredients are well blended and lentils are starting to break apart.  Season to taste with sea salt and serve hot.

I really hope you enjoy this soup as much as I do!  And please if you come across any recipes that you feel would be a great addition PLEASE SHARE!