Winter Warmer: Healthy Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup Recipe
As the chilly winter months continue, nothing beats a warm and nourishing soup to keep your energy levels up high and strong against the cold. This Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup is delicious and popular.
In TCM we talk about using root vegetables (complex carbohydrates) as fortifying for the Spleen Energy. Root vegetables such as carrot, sweet potato, parsnip, swedes, beetroot and the regular potato are what we call FULL SWEET. Full Sweet is tonifying for the Spleen and Stomach which is our daily energy production machine. This means getting nutrients from a strong digestion to help with energy production.
EMPTY SWEET are the foods that are the processed, sugary and low-nutrition foods such as lollies, ice cream, chocolate bars. The things we often find ourselves craving when we are tired and exhausted. This is because the body craves an instant hit of energy and empty sweet foods tend to taste good and give you that sugar high.
Here's that healthy Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh coriander for garnish
Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant.
- Add cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika, stirring for another minute.
- Add the diced sweet potatoes, lentils, diced tomatoes, and vegetable stock. Stir well to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until sweet potatoes and lentils are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fresh coriander.
Enjoy this hearty soup that’s perfect for boosting your immune system and keeping you warm during winter!
Other Winter recipes:
