Carrot, Red Lentil And Orange Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 55 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, peeled, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 celery ribs, trimmed, chopped
• 1 lb carrot, peeled, chopped
• 1/2 cup red lentil, rinsed
• 1 (14 ounce) can tomatoes, diced
• 2 1/2 cups vegetable stock
• 1 cup fresh orange juice (a cup!)
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, minced
• 1 dash salt
• 1 dash ground black pepper
• 4 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 4 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped

Recipe

• 1 in a large saucepan heat the oil, then gently fry the onion, bay leaf & celery for 5 minutes to soften them slightly, but do not brown!
• 2 add the carrots & cook, stirring for another 2 minutes, until well coated in the onion & celery mixture.
• 3 stir in the lentils, tomatoes veggie stock, & bring to a boil before turning down the heat, covering & simmering for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick & tender.
• 4 remove from the heat & let stand, covered for 10 minutes, before discarding the bay leaf.
• 5 stir in the orange juice, the zest & seasoning, then return to the heat & reheat gently until piping hot but not boiling!
• 6 to serve, ladel into warmed soup bowls & swirl the surface with a tablespoon of yogurt, then sprinkle a little chopped parsley on top & enjoy!