Following on from my last post about wishful summer thinking, I have been focusing on simple but delicious dishes that can make the perfect light summer supper. ( All part of my plan to encourage some sunshine.)

Hopefully I will be testing a few out over the next few days and weeks all ready to share with you for when the sun does show its beautiful face.

My first attempt has been a spicy tomato and lentil soup. Regular readers will be aware chilli is a big hit in our house so I am always looking to find new ways to get some heat in more interesting flavour combos.

The origins of this dish are actually in a pot of supermarket bought soup that we had (on a lazy day) two weeks ago. It was so good I knew I had to find a way to make it myself. So I decided to create my own version using the ingredients label as a guide. I actually found this to be a very successful technique and will definitely try it again.

Truly a From Scratch Supper  

Ingredients

2 Potatoes Peeled and cubbed

2 carrots peeled and cubbed

1 onion

1 garlic clove

500ml Vegetable Stock

Thumb sized piece of grated ginger

100g Red lentils

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 tsp Sugar

1 Tin Tomatoes

1 tbsp Tomato Puree

1 tsp Smoked Paprika

1 tsp Turmeric

1 tsp Cumin

1 1/2tsp Chilli Powder

Method

1. Heat oil in a big pan and fry the onions slowly until they turn translucent; add the carrots, potatoes and garlic and soften for about 5mins
2. Add the stock and allow to cook for about 15mins until the potatoes and carrots have softened
3. Then blitz this with a hand blender
4. Add ginger (grated), tomatoes, spices, lentils, sugar and salt and pepper and leave this to simmer for 20 -25 mins until the lentils are cooked, (topping up with water if necessary)
5. Check seasoning and adjust as necessary
6. Top off with some natural yogurt and a sprinkling of chilli flakes

This is a deliciously warming soup, but makes a lovely summertime supper especially with yogurt to freshen it up. The best news though, you will probably have some left over for seconds!