Red Lentil Dal Soup Easy Recipe
This Red Lentil Dal Soup is such a warm and comforting soup to make. Great for weeknight dinners. Serve with your favorite crusty bread or a side dish of rice. There is nothing better than a pot full of homemade soup that you can enjoy for lunches and dinner all thru the week.
Red lentils are preferred for making dal soups for several reasons.
- Red lentils cook faster than brown or green lentils and make soup creamier. They break down during the cooking process better than red or green lentils.
- Red lentils have a mild and slightly sweet flavor and absorb spices well which make them perfect for dal soups.
- The color makes the soup rich and vibrant.
- Red lentils are a nutritional power house. They are full of dietary fiber, folate, iron and potassium.
Red Lentil Dal Soup Easy Recipe
Ingredients
- Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups Water
- 1 Large Onion -chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic-minced finely
- 1 1/2 Tsp Ginger -grated
- 1 Tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/4 Tsp Ground Cumin
- 2 Tsp Black Pepper More or less to taste
- 1 cup Dried Red Lentils
- 1 15oz can Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 15oz can Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
- 2 cups Diced potato- (red, yukon gold or russet)
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 Tsp Red Curry Paste
- 1 cup Kale, finely chopped
- 1 cup Bok choy finely chopped
Instructions
- Place large soup pot on stove with 1/4 cups of water over medium high heat. Add in chopped onion and garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes until onions are soft and translucent.
- Add in ginger, smoked paprika, cumin and black pepper to soup pot and stir well.
- Add in 3 cups of water to the pot.
- Add in red lentils.
- Add in chickpeas.
- Add in fire roasted diced tomatoes
- Add in potatoes. Stir well and bring to boil. Cover pot and turn heat down and simmer for 50 minutes. Lentils and potatoes should be tender.
- Add in lemon juice, red curry paste, kale and bok choy. Cook for 8-10 minutes more until the kale and bok choy are tender. Season with more pepper to taste if needed. Serve with crusty bread or a side dish of rice.
The Rich Tapestry of Red Lentil Dal Soup
Red lentil dal soup is a delicious and nutritious dish that has captured the hearts and palates of people worldwide. This humble yet flavorful soup traces its origins to the Indian subcontinent, where it has been cherished for centuries.
Origins and Historical Significance
Red lentil dal soup, often referred to as simply “dal,” has its roots deeply entrenched in the culinary traditions of India. The term “dal” is used to describe a variety of lentil-based dishes, and red lentils, are a popular choice due to their quick cooking time and rich flavor.
In Indian culture, dal is not just a meal; it is a symbol of unity and harmony. It is often served as part of a thali, a traditional Indian meal that includes a variety of dishes, showcasing the diversity of flavors and textures in Indian cuisine. Additionally, dal is commonly associated with festivals, celebrations, and family gatherings, making it an integral part of Indian social and cultural life.
You may like serving this with my Homemade Potato Bread