This creamy Hairy Bikers Red Pepper and Lentil Soup is made with sweet red peppers, earthy red lentils, garlic, and cumin. This recipe creates a velvety, rich soup with a vibrant color and a deep, savory flavor, all finished with a dollop of yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. It’s the perfect light lunch or starter for four, and is a great way to use up fresh vegetables.
Hairy Bikers Red Pepper And Lentil Soup Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 red peppers, deseeded and roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 200g red lentils, rinsed
- 1 litre vegetable stock
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Plain yogurt and fresh coriander or mint leaves, to serve
How To Make Hairy Bikers Red Pepper And Lentil Soup
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for 5-7 minutes until they are soft and translucent. Add the crushed garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the main ingredients: Stir in the chopped red peppers and the ground cumin. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring to coat the vegetables in the spices.
- Simmer the soup: Add the rinsed red lentils and pour in the vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pan and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the red lentils are completely soft and have broken down.
- Blend until smooth: Once the lentils are cooked, use a stick blender to carefully blend the soup until it is completely smooth and creamy. If you don’t have a stick blender, you can transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender and blend until smooth.
- Season and serve: Return the soup to the saucepan. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve with a spoonful of plain yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh coriander or mint leaves.
Recipe Tips
- Rinse the lentils: Rinsing the red lentils before adding them to the pot helps to remove any dust or debris and ensures a clearer, better-tasting soup.
- Don’t skip the spices: The ground cumin adds a warm, earthy flavor that complements the sweetness of the red peppers perfectly. Feel free to add a pinch of chili flakes for a little heat.
- Blend in batches: If using a regular blender, remember to let the soup cool slightly and blend in small batches to prevent the hot steam from causing the lid to pop off.
- Adjust the consistency: If the soup is too thick for your liking, you can thin it out by adding a little more vegetable stock or water until you reach your desired consistency.
What To Serve Red Pepper And Lentil Soup
This flavorful red pepper and lentil soup is a great starter or a light meal on its own. It’s excellent when served with a piece of warm crusty bread for dipping. For a more complete meal, you could serve it with a toasted cheese sandwich, a simple green salad, or some homemade croutons for extra crunch. The garnish of yogurt and fresh herbs adds a refreshing note that makes this soup even more delicious.
How To Store Red Pepper And Lentil Soup Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Let the soup cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.
- Freeze: This soup freezes beautifully. Transfer the cooled soup to a freezer-safe container or a large Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and gently warm on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if needed to adjust the consistency.
Hairy Bikers Red Pepper And Lentil Soup Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 600mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 35g
- Dietary Fiber: 15g
- Sugars: 7g
- Protein: 12g
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use brown or green lentils? While you can, brown and green lentils hold their shape when cooked and won’t break down to create the creamy consistency of this soup. It’s best to stick with red lentils for this specific recipe.
- How can I make this soup vegan? This recipe is naturally vegan if you omit the yogurt garnish, which is an optional step. Simply use plant-based yogurt or a dollop of coconut cream instead.
- Can I roast the peppers instead? Yes, roasting the peppers will add a smoky, sweeter flavor to the soup. To do this, simply halve the peppers, place them on a baking tray, and roast in a hot oven until the skin is blistered. Then, peel the skin off before adding the peppers to the pot.
Try More Recipes:
- Hairy Bikers Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Mushroom Soup Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Leek And Potato Soup With Milk Recipe
Hairy Bikers Red Pepper And Lentil Soup Recipe
Description
Hairy Bikers Red Pepper and Lentil Soup is a vibrant, creamy, and comforting soup. Made with sweet red peppers, earthy red lentils, and warm spices, it’s a simple recipe that delivers a huge amount of flavor. It’s the perfect light lunch or dinner starter.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onions until soft, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in chopped red peppers and cumin. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the rinsed red lentils and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20-25 minutes until the lentils are soft.
- Use a stick blender to blend the soup until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with a dollop of yogurt and fresh herbs.
