Any of you who really know me will know that I’m a BIG fan of the Irish lifestyle store, Avoca. I love everything about Avoca, specially their Kilmacanogue store, and most especially the FOOD!
So here’s one of Avoca’s great recipes from their first cookbook: Tomato, Lentil & Orange Soup. My only complaint about it, is that it doesn’t make enough soup to satisfy a family, so I usually triple the ingredients!
This soup is gorgeous, and simple to make. It’s good enough for lunch, for dinner, for a special starter… it’s even good enough to cheer anyone up on this miserable, wet, wintery day! Make it, and enjoy!
1 onion, peeled and chopped
50g butter
1 orange
1 garlic clove, peeled & crushed
400g can chopped tomatoes
50g red lentils
300ml vegetable stock
Gently cook the onion in the butter for 10 minutes without browning. (Meanwhile, grate the zest from the orange, then peel it, and chop the flesh.)
Add the garlic to the pot, stir, then add the orange zest and orange pieces, along with the tomatoes, lentils and stock. Stir the pot, bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked. Stir from time to time, so the lentils don’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
Puree in a blender, then reheat gently and season to taste. You may need to add a little boiling water, as it gets pretty thick!
Dress with chopped fresh mint, if you have it, and serve, for instant warmth!
A little bowl of sunshine for a winter’s day!
Kings Forge Glass 