Curried Black Lentil Soup With Tadka Recipe

If you're into superfoods, you're probably into lentils. These small lens-shaped legumes are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Aside from the health benefits of lentils, they are incredibly versatile in the kitchen. In this recipe we're using black lentils (aka beluga lentils) along with a tadka, a cooking technique commonly used in Indian cuisine where spices are fried in oil or ghee to release flavors before being added to a dish. The combination of cumin seeds, mustard seeds, curry leaves, garlic, and ginger toasted and melded together complement the earthy taste of the lentils and make this dish unbelievably delicious.

Wellness coach and recipe developer Miriam Hahn brings us this recipe. "Lentils and spices are two things I use a lot of in my cooking," she says. "I'm really loving black lentils lately and experimenting with all sorts of ways to use them. I like the nutty flavor, firm texture, and how they take on the flavor of the spices used in the recipe."

Keep reading to learn how to take curried black lentil soup to a new level by incorporating a tadka.

To make this recipe, start in the produce aisle and pick up onion, carrots, celery, spinach, garlic, and ginger.

Then you'll need fire-roasted tomatoes, black lentils, vegetable broth, tomato paste, and plain yogurt for topping. "Although other lentil varieties look similar in shape and size as black lentils, it's important to note that substituting another type won't work in this recipe because the cook times vary and we're going for a certain texture in this soup," Hahn explains.

Check your condiment and spice cabinet for avocado oil, salt, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.

Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a large pot over medium heat.

Add the onion, carrots, and celery and sauté for 8 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, lentils, broth, tomato paste, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 30 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Turn off heat.

With an immersion blender, blend the soup halfway. (If using a stand blender, blend half of the hot soup in small batches and return blended soup to the pot.)

Add the chopped spinach and stir. Cover, and turn heat to simmer until ready to serve.

Make the tadka: Add the remaining oil to a medium-sized pan over medium heat.

Add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds to the hot oil and let them cook for 3 minutes until they start to crackle.

Add the curry leaves and fry for another minute until fragrant.

Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic turns golden brown and aromatic. Remove tadka from the heat.

Dish the soup into bowls, garnish with yogurt and the tadka (including the oil it was cooked in), and serve.

There are many ways to tailor the soup to your preferences. To start, you can include additional veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms to enhance flavor and nutrition. "To add extra vegetables to the soup, just add them into the pot in step 2 to give them a quick sauté with the onions, carrots, and celery," Hahn says. "In place of spinach, you can substitute other greens like kale or collards. You'll want to remove the stems and just add the chopped greens."

You can also adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of cumin seeds, mustard seeds, garlic, and ginger. If you prefer a spicier soup, you can add diced jalapeño or serrano peppers to the saute stage or add some red pepper flakes to the tadka.

To make the recipe vegan, substitute a non-dairy yogurt for topping. A coconut or cashew variety will work fine.

Serve warm, freshly baked naan bread alongside the soup. Naan that pairs well with lentil-based dishes and is perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth. If you prefer the taste and texture of pita bread that is a nice option, or even toasted baguette slices for a crispier accompaniment. Crispy papadums, thin and crunchy Indian crackers made from lentil or chickpea flour, can be used for scooping up the soup.

Prepare a refreshing cucumber raita, a yogurt-based condiment seasoned with cucumber, mint, and spices. The coolness of the raita provides a nice contrast to the spiciness of the soup.

Soup and salad are always a good combination. Consider a kachumber salad, a refreshing and colorful salad made with diced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and sometimes green chilies, cilantro, and lemon juice. It's a popular accompaniment to many Indian dishes, providing a burst of freshness and crunch.