Peppery Pink Lentil Soup

Serves 8-10

Yields 10 to 11 cups.

To learn more, read:
Spice Up Your Cooking
by Floyd Cardoz
from Fine Cooking
Issue 70
Last Edit Date: 10/6/2011 11:23:04 AM

Warm toasted spices and a flavor-packed tarka (small, whole, edible spices bloomed in hot oil and added to a dish at the end of cooking) come together in this velvety soup.

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For the soup:

1/2 Tbs. coriander seeds
3/4 tsp. whole black peppercorns
1-1/2 cups pink lentils (also known as red lentils or masoor dal), picked over and thoroughly washed
1 medium white onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 2 cups)
2 ribs celery, cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 1 cup)
1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 1/2 cup)
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
1/2 fresh serrano chile, thinly sliced (don't remove seeds)
15 sprigs fresh cilantro, left whole and tied in a cheesecloth pouch
Kosher or sea salt
1 cup plain yogurt, whisked until smooth, for garnish
2 Tbs. sliced fresh chives for garnish

For the tarka:

2 Tbs. canola oil
1 tsp. mustard seeds
1 tsp. cumin seeds

Make the soup: Heat a small, dry sauté pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the coriander seeds and toast them-stir constantly (or shake the pan gently) to keep the seeds from burning-until they darken slightly and become very fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Immediately transfer them to a dish and set aside. Return the sauté pan to the heat; add the pepper-corns and toast, shaking the pan, for about 2 minutes. Pour onto the plate with the coriander seeds. Put the toasted coriander and pepper in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle and grind to a fine powder.

In a large (at least 4-quart) saucepan, combine the lentils, onion, celery, carrot, garlic, ginger, chile, cheesecloth-wrapped cilantro sprigs, and 2 tsp. salt with 2-1/2 quarts water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove the cilantro sprigs. Add the ground coriander and pepper to the soup and simmer for another 10 minutes. Purée the soup using a hand blender or a regular blender until the soup is very smooth. Strain the purée through a medium sieve into a large serving bowl. The soup can be made to this point one day ahead; reheat it gently before continuing.

Make the tarka and garnish the soup: Set a small deep saucepan over medium heat and add the canola oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the mustard seeds and cook, uncovered, until they pop, 30 to 60 seconds. Add the cumin seeds and cook for another 1 minute. Quickly but carefully, pour the hot tarka over the soup and mix well. Season with salt to taste. Ladle the soup into individual serving bowls and garnish with a dollop of yogurt and a sprinkling of the chives.

nutrition information (per serving):
Size : based on ten servings; Calories (kcal): 140; Fat (g): 4; Fat Calories (kcal): 35; Saturated Fat (g): 0.5; Protein (g): 8; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 2; Carbohydrates (g): 20; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 1; Sodium (mg): 500; Cholesterol (mg): 5; Fiber (g): 5;