Recipe: Five-Alarm Lentil Soup (using red lentils and Sriracha)

FIVE-ALARM LENTIL SOUP

"Lentil soup was one of my grandfather's favorites and my five-alarm version of it certainly pays homage to his dedicated service as a firefighter. Just when the heat of the Sriracha feels like it might engulf your palate, the finishing dollop of sour cream really helps tame the flames."

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 red onions, chopped
3 large carrots, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
2 tablespoons ground cumin
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3/4 cup Sriracha, plus more for garnish
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1 pound red lentils
8 cups vegetable stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Sour cream, for garnish
Chopped fresh cilantro or chives, for garnish

Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onions and carrots and saute until they begin to soften, 6 to 8 minutes.

Stir in the garlic, paprika, cumin, bay leaves, tomato paste, and Sriracha, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes, until aromatic.

Add the tomatoes, and scrape up any of the brown bits that have accumulated at the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Pour in the lentils and vegetable stock, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes, until the lentils are softened and cooked thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Discard the bay leaves.

Ladle into bowls. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkling of cilantro and perhaps a last-minute squiggle of Sriracha for color and zip.

Makes 6 to 8 servings
Source: The Sriracha Cookbook by Randy Clemens