Broccoli and Green Lentil Soup

Who doesn’t love hearty food that is healthy? This creamy Broccoli and Green Lentil Soup is a healing comfort meal for a night when you need some tender loving care but is also great for a post-workout dinner.

The two mineral-rich components of this dish give you calcium, magnesium and folic acid and are flavoured with healing spices like cayenne, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, coriander and nutmeg. Broccoli has a wonderful detoxing effect on body, the lentils offering much needed protein and fiber, can also help to reduce the lactic acid created in our muscles during exercise. Coconut milk adds more mouthwatering nutrition, all of which leave you with a delicious bowl of goodness.

Broccoli and Green Lentil Soup

Makes four generous helpings

1 tbsp coconut oil
¾ cup red onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp turmeric
1½ cups green lentils washed, soaked and rinsed
2 cups of organic vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
2 cups of broccoli florets
1 tin of light coconut milk
2 cups of water

To serve:
One lemon cut into 8 wedges
Freshly ground black pepper

Gently heat the coconut oil in a large pan on a medium to low heat, add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add a tablespoon of stock and then add garlic and sauté for another 5 minutes. Add another tablespoon of stock and then add all the healing spices and sauté for another 5 minutes.

Stir in the lentils and cover in spices. Pour in the remaining stock and add the bay leaf, bring to a boil then cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add broccoli, two cups of water, coconut milk and bring to the boil once again, then cover and simmer for another 15 minutes. Use a blender or a hand-held blender to blend mixture, leaving it chunky and not completely smooth.

Serve with a fresh squeeze of lemon and black pepper.