Creamy Sweet Potato, Carrot, Apple, and Red Lentil Delight
This wholesome soup brings together the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes, carrots, and apples, enhanced by the nourishing protein of red lentils. A perfect comfort dish, it's not only delicious but also packed with vitamins and fiber, making it a healthy addition to any meal. The spices add warmth and depth, while a dollop of plain yogurt on top makes for a refreshing garnish. Ideal for chilly days, this satisfying soup will warm you from the inside out.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1/4 cup (Melted)
sweet potatoes
2 large (Peeled and chopped)
carrots
3 large (Peeled and chopped)
apple
1 large (Peeled, cored, and chopped)
onion
1 medium (Chopped)
red lentil
1/2 cup (Rinsed)
fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon (Minced)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (Ground)
salt
1 teaspoon (To taste)
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon
chili powder
1/2 teaspoon
paprika
1/2 teaspoon
vegetable broth
4 cups (Hot)
plain yogurt
as needed (For garnish)
Instructions
1
1. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter is bubbling, add the chopped sweet potatoes, carrots, apple, and onion. Sauté the mixture for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions become translucent and the vegetables begin to soften.
2
2. Add the red lentils, minced ginger, ground black pepper, salt, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and vegetable broth to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
3
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for approximately 30 minutes, or until the lentils and vegetables are tender.
4
4. After simmering, carefully blend the soup until smooth. Working in batches, fill a blender no more than halfway, cover it with a folded kitchen towel to hold the lid down, and pulse a few times for initial mixing before pureeing. Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender right in the pot for convenience.
5
5. After all batches are blended, return the pureed soup to the pot. Bring it back to a gentle simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes, adjusting the thickness by adding water for your desired consistency. Serve hot, garnished with a swirl of plain yogurt.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main ingredients in this soup recipe?
The soup consists of sweet potatoes, carrots, apple, onion, red lentils, vegetable broth, and various spices like ginger, cumin, chili powder, and paprika.
Is this Sweet Potato and Red Lentil soup vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it uses butter, vegetables, lentils, and vegetable broth.
Can I make this soup vegan?
Yes, you can make it vegan by substituting the butter with olive oil or coconut oil and omitting the yogurt garnish or using a plant-based yogurt.
How long does it take to sauté the vegetables?
The chopped sweet potatoes, carrots, apple, and onion should be sautéed in butter for about 10 minutes until they begin to soften.
What type of lentils are best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/2 cup of rinsed red lentils, which cook quickly and blend into a creamy consistency.
Why is an apple included in a vegetable soup?
The apple adds a layer of natural sweetness that complements the earthy flavors of the sweet potatoes and carrots.
What spices provide the warmth in this soup?
Warmth and depth are provided by a blend of minced fresh ginger, ground cumin, chili powder, and paprika.
How much vegetable broth is required?
The recipe requires 4 cups of hot vegetable broth to simmer the ingredients.
What is the simmering time for the soup?
Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for approximately 30 minutes.
How do I achieve a creamy texture for the soup?
After the vegetables are tender, blend the soup using an immersion blender or a countertop blender until it is completely smooth.
Are there safety tips for using a countertop blender with hot soup?
Only fill the blender halfway, cover the lid with a folded kitchen towel, and pulse a few times before pureeing to prevent the lid from blowing off.
What is the final step after blending the soup?
Return the pureed soup to the pot and simmer for an additional 10 minutes to adjust the thickness and ensure it is hot.
How can I adjust the soup if it is too thick?
You can easily adjust the thickness by adding water or additional broth during the final simmering stage.
What is the recommended garnish for this dish?
The recipe recommends serving the soup hot with a swirl of plain yogurt on top.
Is this soup a good source of fiber?
Yes, thanks to the sweet potatoes, carrots, and red lentils, this soup is packed with dietary fiber.
Do I need to peel the sweet potatoes and carrots?
Yes, the recipe suggests that the sweet potatoes, carrots, and apple should all be peeled before chopping.
Can I use dried ginger instead of fresh ginger?
While fresh ginger provides the best flavor, you could use ground ginger as a substitute; usually, 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon is sufficient to replace 1/2 teaspoon of fresh minced ginger.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a wholesome, nourishing soup packed with vitamins and protein from the lentils and fresh produce.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
The recipe is tagged as soup, healthy, vegetarian, vegan, comfort food, sweet potato, red lentils, autumn, and easy recipe.
How much butter is used in the base?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of butter to sauté the initial vegetable and fruit mixture.
How many large carrots are needed?
You will need 3 large carrots that have been peeled and chopped.
Is the soup spicy?
It contains 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder and paprika, providing a mild warmth rather than intense heat.
Can this soup be frozen?
Yes, blended vegetable and lentil soups typically freeze very well for later consumption.
What type of onion should be used?
The recipe calls for 1 medium onion, chopped.
How much salt is recommended?
The recipe suggests 1 teaspoon of salt, though you can adjust this to taste.
Do I need to core the apple?
Yes, the apple should be peeled, cored, and chopped before being added to the pot.
Is this soup suitable for autumn?
Yes, its use of sweet potatoes, apples, and warming spices makes it a perfect autumn comfort dish.
What is the protein source in this recipe?
The protein comes primarily from the red lentils included in the soup.
Can I use an immersion blender?
Yes, using an immersion blender right in the pot is a convenient way to puree the soup.
How many ingredients are in the entire recipe?
There are a total of 14 ingredients used to make this soup, including the garnish.