Red Lentil Carrot Soup

Oh, I know.  Spring is right around the corner and here I am posting a hearty soup recipe.  But you have  to give this recipe a try before Spring is really upon us.  It's so easy and so good.  And all you need is a hunk of crusty bread and a simple green salad to make this meal a complete one.

My boys loved it, my husband loved it, and I wish I had doubled it.    Next time I will double this and it will be a fabulous soup to pull out of the freezer on a night I don't feel like cooking.

I served this with that amazing No Knead Bread.  We will definitely be seeing this in our soup bowls again.

Red Lentil Carrot Soup 

Serves 6

• 5 cups vegetable broth (low sodium is best)
• 2 cups water
• 1 1/2 t ground cumin
• 1/2 t turmeric
• 1/2 t oregano
•  1 1/2 lbs carrots - sliced thin
• 1 large onion - chopped
• 1 1/2 cups dry red lentils - rinsed and picked through
• 4 cloves garlic - minced
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 t pepper

-- Microwave carrots 5-6 minutes until soft.

--Place all ingredients into a large saucepan.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for one hour, until lentils and carrots are soft.  Mash with potato masher for a more consistent texture.

CROCKPOT:  Bring liquids and spices to boil in sauce pan and then carefully pour into a crockpot.  Add everything else and cook on high for 5-6 hours, or low for 8-9 hours.