Carrot and Red Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 1kg carrots, peeled and cut into rounds
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup red lentils
• 2 litres of vegetable stock of your choice
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• Dried and fresh coriander (optional)
• Salt and black pepper

Instructions

1. Place a large pan over a medium/high heat and sweat the chopped onion and celery in the olive oil or butter until soft

2. Add the carrots and continue frying for a further 5 minutes or so

3. Add the vegetable stock and let it cook for approximately 35-40 minutes over a medium heat

4. Blitz the soup with a hand blender or wait for it to cool and blend it in a blender; if you are using fresh coriander you can add it at this point

5. Return the soup to the heat and add the lentils and the dried coriander, add more water if necessary (if it is too thick)

6. Taste and adjust the salt and black pepper (optional) and serve topped with fresh coriander if you wish