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3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons nondairy butter
1 1/2 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 large onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons minced peeled ginger
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup red lentils, picked over and rinsed
2 quarts water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste
salt and pepper to taste

Cilantro oil

1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Soup

Heat oil with butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat until foam subsides.
Cook squash, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, ginger, and 1 teaspoon salt, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and beginning to brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
Stir in curry powder and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Cook, stirring frequently, 2 minutes.
Add lentils and water and simmer, covered, until lentils are tender, about 1 hour.
Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

Cilantro oil

Purée cilantro, oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender.
Serve soup drizzled with cilantro oil.

Note: Soup, without cilantro oil, can be made 3 days ahead and chilled.

Serves 4-6

 

 

 

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2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
3 cups canned vegetable broth
1 cup lentils, rinsed
8 ounces sweet potato/es, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
8 ounces whole baby bella mushrooms, cleaned and cut into quarters
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (grated lemon peel)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
6 ounces fresh spinach leaves, to (about 8 cups)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano
Salt and pepper

Heat olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
Add garlic and stir 30 seconds.
Add vegetable broth and lentils; bring to boil.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes.
Add potatoes and mushrooms; cook covered until potatoes and lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
Add lemon zest, lemon juice, spinach and cayenne pepper to stew.
Cover and simmer stew until spinach wilts and is cooked through, about 2 minutes.
Mix in oregano.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Spoon stew into large soup bowls.

Serves 4

Note: Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Re-warm over low heat before serving. Recipe can be doubled.

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4 tablespoons nondairy butter
4 carrots, cut into coins
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup chopped yellow onions
32 ounce carton vegetable soup stock
1 large potato, peeled and chopped
1/2 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
15 ounce can kidney beans, in liquid
15 ounce can chopped tomatoes, or 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1/2 package of frozen spinach
1/2 cup cooked lentils
dashes of: red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, curry, salt and pepper
cooked noodles, optional
vegan Parmesan cheese, optional

Melt butter in a large pot. Add vegetables and saute until beginning to soften. Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil. Lower to simmer.
Cook for 1 hour, or until the potatoes are cooked through, the longer, the better.
Add cooked noodles and vegan Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Serves 4,

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1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups chopped yellow onions
1 garlic clove, minced
6 cups (or more) water
2 cups lentils, rinsed
2 cups diced carrots
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup diced celery
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, optional
Pinch of dried, crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper

1 cup chopped seeded plum tomatoes or 3 ounces of tomato paste
1/2 cup chopped watercress or parsley (optional)

Heat oil in heavy large saucepan or Dutch oven over
medium heat. Add onions and saute until golden, about
10 minutes. Add garlic and stir 2 minutes. Add water
through red pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to
medium, cover and simmer until lentils and vegetables
are tender, adding more water if soup is too thick, about
45 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Add tomatoes to the soup;
simmer 5 minutes.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with watercress or parsley, if desired.

Serves 4

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3/4 cup lentils, washed and drained
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 shallots, thinly sliced
1 carrot, 1/4 inch dice
1 celery stalk, 1/4 inch dice
1 red pepper, 1/4 inch dice
2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
6 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Place the lentils in a saucepan, covered with water.
Bring to a boil.
Simmer for 15 minutes.
Drain the lentils.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add shallots, sauté for 2 minutes.
Add carrot, celery and pepper; sauté, stirring, for 5 minutes more.
Add parsley and vinegar.
Remove from heat.
Transfer to a bowl.
Add the drained lentils to the bowl.
Stir in the spinach.
Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4