African Red Lentil Soup

Directions

• In the soup pot, melt the butter.
• Add the onion & salt and sauté for 5 minutes.
• Add the pepper, ginger, cayenne, cinnamon, coriander, cumin and paprika and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the chicken broth, water and red lentils and bring to a boil. Once it is boiling, turn down the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add the lemon juice and cilantro. Taste soup and if it needs little more salt, add it now
• Either transfer the soup in batches to a blender or use an immersion blender to bring the soup to a creamy texture.
• Ladle into serving bowls and put a small pat of butter (approx 1 teaspoon) on top of the soup and sprinkle lightly with dried mint.