Recipe: Lentil Soup with Roasted Vegetables (food processor)

LENTIL SOUP WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

1 eggplant, unpeeled (1 to 1 1/4 lbs), quartered lengthwise
4 large plum tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
1 large onion, cut into wedges
1/2 large green bell pepper, seeded and quartered
4 cloves garlic, peeled
5 cups water (or more)
1 1/4 cups dried brown lentils
4 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt (for serving)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Arrange first 5 ingredients on large nonstick baking sheet. Drizzle with oil. Roast vegetables 20 minutes. Turn vegetables over and roast until tender and brown around edges, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes longer. Cool slightly (do not clean baking sheet).

Scoop eggplant pulp from peel into processor; discard peel. Add onion and garlic to processor; puree until smooth.

Transfer eggplant mixture to large saucepan. Coarsely chop tomatoes and bell pepper. Combine in small bowl.

Add 1 cup water to baking sheet; stir to scrape up any browned bits. Add to saucepan with eggplant mixture. Add 4 cups water, lentils and cumin and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until lentils are almost tender, about 30 minutes.

Mix in all but 1/4 cup tomato and bell pepper mixture. Simmer, uncovered, until lentils are very tender, thinning with more water if soup is too thick, about 10 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper.

Ladle soup into bowls. Drizzle large spoonful of yogurt over each. Top with remaining 1/4 cup tomato and bell pepper mixture, and serve.

Servings: 6
Source: Bon Appetit, March 1999