Recipe: Spiced Tomato, Lentil and Pea Soup

This is my very own concoction! I recently caught a cold and have been tethering on the brink of death, desperately trying to find some alternative to not being able to taste and having a constantly congested nasal passage and stuffy nose. In short, spice is great for that! A warming soup with a good dose of veggies to keep you going.

INGREDIENTS:

• splash olive oil 
• 1 onion, chopped 
• 3 sticks celery, chopped 
• 1 carrot, chopped 
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced  
• 2 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) chilli powder 
• 1 L vegetable stock 
• salt (to taste)
• generous amount of cracked pepper 
• 1 jalapeno, minced (optional)
• 1 carton lentils (390 gm) 
• 2 cartons crushed tomatoes (390 gm/carton, 780 gm total)
• 1 packet (600 gm) frozen peas 

METHOD:

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil and saute onions, celery and carrots until translucent. Add garlic and continue sauteing. 
2. Add in spices - cumin, curry powder, thyme, oregano and chilli powder. Mix in well to coat the ingredients before adding vegetable stock, salt and pepper.
3. Add lentils (ensure they are soft) before using a stick blender to blend everything until smooth.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes. Taste / adjust flavours and spiciness.
5. Add frozen peas before serving hot, and enjoy!