Curried Lentil and Apple Soup
In short: A mild, golden soup of lentils, tart apple and carrot with curry powder and ginger, finished with a little coconut milk and lemon. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 5 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 5
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 300 kcal
Curried lentil soup with apple is a home-kitchen favorite in Britain, North America and beyond, and the apple is the clever part. It dissolves into the pot and rounds off the curry powder and ginger with a soft fruity note, so the spices taste warm instead of harsh. Brown lentils keep some bite after cooking, and blending only half the soup leaves a pleasing mix of creamy and chunky. A little coconut milk and lemon complete it.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion and carrots for 8 minutes, stirring, until soft. Add the garlic, ginger and curry powder and stir for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add the lentils, apples, stock and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer partly covered for 30 minutes, until the lentils are very soft.
- Blend about half of the soup with an immersion blender, leaving some of the lentils whole, or blend all of it for a smooth soup.
- Stir in the coconut milk, lemon juice and pepper and reheat for 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the salt.
- Ladle into bowls and top with cilantro.
Tips
- Choose a mild curry powder. A hot one can overpower the apple, and you can always add chili flakes at the table.
- Red lentils work in place of brown ones. They cook in about 20 minutes and melt into a creamy soup with no blending.
Questions and answers
Does curried lentil soup taste sweet from the apple?
Only slightly. The apple softens the spices and adds a fruity note rather than obvious sweetness. A tart variety keeps the balance, and the lemon juice sharpens it.
Can I use red lentils instead of brown?
Yes. Cook them for about 20 minutes instead of 30, and they will break down into a creamy soup without much blending.
How spicy is curried lentil and apple soup?
It is mild. A mild curry powder adds warmth but very little heat. For more, add 1/2 teaspoon of chili flakes or cayenne with the curry powder.
How long does it take to make Curried Lentil and Apple Soup?
About 55 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Curried Lentil and Apple Soup?
About 300 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 40 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 300 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
