Cauliflower, Red Lentil & Potato Soup

​The Indian dish ‘Aloo Gobi’ inspired me for this soup. Actually, it was the end of the week and a cauliflower, onions, leek, garlic and potatoes were all I had left in the fridge….So when hungry and pushed for time and ideas, soup is often an easy solution!
There’s no oil in this recipe (you won’t miss it) and it takes just under 40 minutes to make, from start to finish. I love, love, love this spicy soup. Hope you do too!
 
Cooking time: 35-40 minutes
Makes about 4 - 6 portions
Ingredients:
  • 1 ½ cups onion, chopped
  • 1 leek, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
 
  • 1 cup red lentils, soaked 30 minutes (or just 10 minutes if that’s all you have)
 
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 4 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1-2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1/8 teaspoon - ¼ teaspoon chili pepper(depending on how spicy you want it)
  • 1 ½ - 2 teaspoons salt
 
  • 2 cups cauliflower, chopped small
  • 1 cup potatoes, diced
  • 1 cup sweet potatoes, diced
 
  • ½ cup tomato passata
  • 5 cups water (total)
Method:

Wash 1 cup of red lentils and leave to soak for the time it takes to prepare the other ingredients.
Chop up 2 cups of cauliflower into small pieces and put to one side.Peel the potatoes and sweet potatoes, dice and leave to sit in a bowl of water.
Chop 1 large onion or 2 medium ones. You need 1 ½ cups.
Slice the leek. 
Cook together in 2 cups water for 5 minutes:
  • 1 ½ cups onion, chopped
  • 1 leek, sliced
  • 2 clove garlic, minced
 
Add and mix well:
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 4 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1-2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon chili pepper
  • 1 ½ - 2 teaspoons salt

Add:
  • 1 cup red lentils (soaked, rinsed and drained)
  • 1 cup water
 
Cook for about 10-15 minutes
Add:
  • ½ cup tomato passata
  • 2 cups chopped cauliflower
  • 1 cup diced potatoes (rinsed & drained)
  • 1 cup diced sweet potatoes (rinsed & drained)
Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the cauliflower and potatoes are cooked.
Season with freshly ground black pepper.
Alternatives:
If you haven't got sweet potatoes, you can use just regular ones. Alternatively, you can use just sweet potatoes (a bit healthier). For this recipe I used the grey sweet potato, not the orange-fleshed one.

Leave a comment below & let me know if you liked it!