Ayurveda Inspired Red Lentil Cauliflower and Spinach Soup
Ayurveda - to live a balanced fulfilling life - the science of life - using nature to live in harmony. This soup embraces the flavors and medicinal propertied for a healthy cold winter season.
“Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.” - Ludwig van Beethoven
A meal in a bowl
Beethoven is onto something - besides his genius music. The health and taste we experience when we eat - let’s refer to it as the ‘life force’ in the food are effected by the way in which we prepare it: both physical and spiritual qualities. Positive and negative thoughts and emotions can be absorbed in the foods we create. Have you seen the movie ‘Like Water For Chocolate’ - check it out. It’s a classic! The actress in the movie cooks food infused with her emotions of lust and desire. Some feel the love and passion affecting their own state of being. As you can imagine I was quite intrigued by that movie - decades later I’m still thinking of it and recommending others watch it.
Food that’s intended to nurture, made with love, created in a happy and supportive space is a force to be reckoned with. Whatever our intentions are while we shop, prep, cook or serve effect our food. It’s an honor to cook for others. It’s a gift to cook for ourselves. Attitude of gratitude in the kitchen and beyond!
As we wash our hands to begin the process set an intention to bring good energy into your cooking experience. Play enjoyable music, a stimulating lecture or podcast, be present, take a deep breath or a few and relax - cooking and eating is sacred. Cooking and eating is not only about feeding your body but also feeding your soul and the body and soul of others, as well.
Soup for the soul! Someone made a yummy dish for YOU! It’s nurturing, it’s warm, it’s love in a bowl, and this particular soup is a meal in a bowl, oh ya! It has it all - protein, complex carbs, veggies, spices and made with heart. Please try to create this soup - worth every second shopping, chopping, prepping, cooking, serving and enjoying!
Love in a bowl tasty and holy,
Genia
Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted - it happens fast!
vegan nut-free gluten-free
1 tbsp oil
1 yellow onion diced
2 garlic cloves minced
1 tbsp ginger root minced
1 tbsp curry
1 1/2 tsp coriander
1 tsp cumin
6 cups water or broth/stalk
1 cup red lentils - soak for 2 hours, rinse and drain
1 cauliflower chopped
1 sweet potato diced
2 cups baby spinach
1 tsp salt - add more to taste
black pepper to taste
parsley or cilantro to garnish - optional
-In pot heat oil, add onion and garlic, sauce for 3 minutes
-stir in ginger root, curry, coriander, cumin for 2 minutes
-add broth, stalk or water and red lentils and bring to a boil, simmer
-stir in cauliflower and sweet potatoes. Cover pot. and simmer for 25 minutes. Check that the vegetables are tender
-add salt, black pepper and spinach. Stir the soup and cook until spinach is wilted which happoens very fast.
-serve in bowls garnished with parsley or cilantro on top - optional
mise en place - everything in it’s place - ready to cook