Recipe: Red Lentil Soup with Lime

RED LENTIL SOUP WITH LIME
Source: Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison
Servings: 4 to 6

"Easy, fast, and so very good! Although the flavor is big, the soup is thin. Keep it brothy or include a spoonful of rice in each bowl for texture and body. A saffron-flavored rice is especially complementary. Torn pita bread briefly saut ed in olive oil until crisp is another very good addition to this soup."

2 cups split red lentils, picked over and rinsed several times
1 tablespoon turmeric
4 tablespoons butter
Salt
1 large onion, finely diced (about 2 cups)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons mustard seeds or 1 teaspoon ground mustard
1 bunch chopped cilantro, about 1 cup
Juice of 3 limes or to taste
1 large bunch spinach leaves, chopped into small pieces
1 cup cooked rice
4 to 6 tablespoons yogurt

Put the lentils in a soup pot with 2 1/2 quarts water, the turmeric, 1 tablespoon of the butter, and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, covered, until the lentils are soft and falling apart, about 20 minutes. Puree for a smooth and nicer-looking soup. (An immersion blender is a great plus here.)

While the soup is cooking, prepare the onion flavoring:
In a medium skillet over low heat, cook the onion in 2 tablespoons of the remaining butter with the cumin and mustard, stirring occasionally. When soft, about the time the lentils are cooked or after 15 minutes, add the cilantro and cook for a minute more.

Add the onion mixture to the soup, then add the juice of 2 limes. Taste, then add more if needed to bring up the flavors. The soup should be a tad sour.

Just before serving:
Add then last tablespoon of butter to a wide skillet. When foamy, add the spinach, sprinkle with salt, and cook just long enough to wilt.

If the rice is warm, place a spoonful in each bowl. If it's leftover rice, add it to the soup and let it heat through for a minute.

Serve the soup, divide the spinach among the bowls, and swirl in a spoonful of yogurt.