Christmas Gift 2008: Red Lentil Soup

I LOVE this soup. So, last year, I put together all the dry ingredients as a gift for our neighbors during the holidays. It does involve a lot of chopping, but it's well worth it. (Oh, another task that's well worth it--hunting down those 6 whole cloves!)

I make it throughout the year, but it’s great at Christmas—the cinnamon, allspice and cloves make the whole house smell like the holiday season.

Bob’s Red Lentil Soup
Bob Adams

3 C red lentils
1 C chopped celery
1 red pepper, diced
1 C chopped ripe tomatoes
9 C chicken or vegetable broth
1 onion chopped
1 c sliced carrots
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t cumin
1 t coriander
1 t thyme
½ t allspice
dash cinnamon
2 bay leaves
6 whole cloves
dash flaked red pepper
2-3 t vinegar
1 lemon juiced

Simmer lentils in broth with spices and garlic until lentils are soft. Add vegetables and simmer 10-15 minutes. Blend/puree soup in blender. Add vinegar and lemon juice. Serve with plain yogurt or sour cream on top.