KALE, CARROT, LENTIL SOUP

20-30 minutes, 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tbsp ghee

• 1 tsp mustard seeds

• 1 large clove garlic, chopped (omit if wanting to make this sattvic)

• 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, chopped 

• 2 cups kale, chopped, stems removed

• 3 medium carrots, chopped

• 1/2 cup red lentils, rinsed

• 4-5 cups veggie broth (enough to cover the veggies)

• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder 

• Salt and black pepper to taste 

• Freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon (or to taste)

• Optional serving suggestions: sprouted grain tortilla (I used Ezekial bread brand and warmed it in a pan with ghee), homemade tortilla, or cumin rice

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat ghee over medium heat in a medium pot. Add mustard seeds. Heat until they begin to pop.

2. Add garlic and ginger. Heat for another 1-2 mins, stirring to prevent burning. Add the carrots, kale, and red lentils and stir. Add the veggie broth and turmeric powder.

3. Simmer until veggies are tender and beans are cooked (about 15-20 minutes), adding more veggie broth if needed.

4. Season with salt and black pepper. Add to a blender and blend until smooth (or use an immersion blender if you don't want to dirty another dish).

5. Add back to the pot and add lemon juice, freshly squeezed. Serve warm and enjoy! 

#onepotmeal #vata #pitta #kapha #fall #winter #spring #whattoeatwhensick

Notes

• The other day, my daughter had a cold - lots of congestion, coughing, sore throat. She still had an appetite but I wanted whatever went into her body to boost her immunity and reduce her congestion. Then, this soup was created. It was so good (and actually worked to help get rid of her cold) that I decided to add it to this kitchen.

• Garlic - natural cough suppressant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial (garlic is actually a great kitchen spice to use when you are sick). If you are not sick and just want to make this soup and want to maintain sattva (eating for a harmonious body AND mind) then you can omit the garlic.

• Mustard seeds - excellent for expelling mucus

• Turmeric - boosts immunity, helps to digest the lentils, anti-inflammatory, soothes a sore throat

• Kale - cleanses the blood tissue of any excess heat and infections

• Carrots - full of vitamins that boost immunity

• Ginger - universal medicine in Ayurveda (like turmeric), boosts immunity, helps with alleviate a cough. If you are ever in doubt when you are sick - use ginger & turmeric in your meals & teas.

• Do you see how we combined all of these ingredients with intention to make a SOUP that is warm, moist, easy to digest and assimilate the nutrients (especially when sick), and helps to soothe a sore/ irritated throat?

• You could even leave out the lentils if you were sick and just wanted a lighter soup - just reduce the amount of broth by 1 cup.