Silky Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup

I was down and out with an ugly cold for the better part of the last week. Today is the first day that I woke up feeling pretty great, with just a few pesky symptoms still lingering. It's recipes like this one that save the day on the long days spent at home waiting out the return of good health. It's a very short, yet very tasty list of ingredients, that requires very little hands on time to prepare. A piping hot bowl of this smooth comforting soup is just what the doctor ordered for my sore throat. Sick or not, this soup is definitely a keeper.

Silky Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup

(adapted from Vegan Feast Kitchen)

1 tbsp olive oil

2 small (or 1 medium) onions, chopped

1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ginger, minced
4 cups vegetarian broth
2 cups cubed, peeled sweet potatoes
2/3 cup red lentils, picked over and rinsed
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish with paprika or smoked paprika sprinkled on each bowl

Heat oil in a medium saucepan. Add onions and ginger and saute until the onions are translucent. Stir in cumin and saute for another minute, stirring constantly. Add vegetable broth, sweet potatoes, and lentils and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes and lentils are tender. Blend soup until smooth using blender or submersion blender. Stir in lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve into soup bowls and garnish with paprika or smoked paprika.

Serves 4.