Spiced Parsnip Soup

Veg

Ingredients

800g parsnips

1 onion

2 cloves of garlic

5cm piece of ginger

olive oil

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

garam masala

200g red split lentils

4 uncooked poppadoms

1.5 litres organic vegetable stock

4 tablespoons natural yoghurt

4 sprigs of fresh coriander

optional: chilli oil

Description

There’s something wonderfully comforting about a nice bowl of soup. I’ve served this one with some quick, funky parsnip crisps, garam masala and a swirl of yoghurt and chilli oil. Delicious.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4.

Put 2 parsnips aside for later. Peel the onion, roughly chop with the remaining parsnips (keep the skins on) and peel and finely grate the garlic and ginger.

Place the parsnips and onions in a large pan over a medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until dark golden, stirring occasionally.

Add the garlic and ginger, then scatter over the cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon of garam masala and the lentils and cook for a further 5 minutes.

Roughly snap in the uncooked poppadoms, then add the stock and simmer for 20 minutes, loosening with a splash of water, if needed.

Meanwhile, speed-peel the reserved parsnips into ribbons until you reach the woody core (discard this bit), blanch for 30 seconds in fast boiling water, then drain and pat dry.

Season with sea salt, then spread out in a single layer over a couple of oiled baking trays. Roast for 15 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

Season the soup to perfection, ripple through the yoghurt and divide between warm bowls.

Pick over the coriander leaves, sprinkle with a little garam masala, and top with the parsnip crisps. Feel free to drizzle with chilli oil for a warm glow.

Nutrition

Per serve %RI*
Calories 428 21%
Fat 11.7g 17%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Protein 21.6g 43%
Carbs 62.2g 24%
Sugars 16.9g 19%
Salt 1.1g 18%
Fibre 11.3g -