Ingredients
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 onion, finely chopped
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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1/2 cup zucchini, chopped
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1/2 cup red pepper, chopped
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1 cup split peas, rinsed and soaked for at least 2 hours (green or yellow)
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2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
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2 teaspoons ground cumin
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2 teaspoons ground coriander
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2 tablespoons brown sugar
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5 cups water (I add bouillon powder to water) or 5 cups vegetable stock (I add bouillon powder to water)
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1 cup tomato sauce or 1 cup pureed fresh tomato
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1/4 teaspoon cayenne, to taste
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salt and pepper
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4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
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sour cream (to garnish)
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2 slices lemons, you can leave rind on or remove, your choice (1/4 inch thick or so)
Instructions
- Heat 1 tbls. oil in heavy pot on medium high heat.
- Saute zucchini and red pepper for about 5 minutes till slightly softened. Set aside.
- Saute onion and garlic until softened in remaining 1 tbls. of oil.
- Stir in split peas,zucchini and red pepper, ginger, cumin, coriander, and brown sugar and coat with onion/garlic mixture.
- Add lemon slices, stock, tomatoes, cayenne, salt and pepper (you can add salt and pepper later, but I like to put it in now).
- Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover pot and simmer for about 1 1/2 hours or until peas are tender.
- If you like your soup thin, add more stock.
- Take the pot off the burner, discard lemon slices (if rind was left on), and puree soup in blender or food processor.
- Season if you have not already added the salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle with coriander (cilantro leaves). Alternatively, you can add the cilantro before you put the soup in the food processor.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream.
- This recipe may be doubled.
- Enjoy!
- For a variation, substitute lentils for split peas.