Spicy coral lentil soup and a baguette of dubious provenance
I have been trying to convince myself that when Hugo helped himself to a baguette off the kitchen counter of the friends we were visiting last Sunday, it was his contribution towards dinner; a welcome accompaniment for the soup I’d made. And then I pulled my head out of the sand, removed my rose-tinted glasses and woke up and smelt the coffee: with no end of previous convictions to his name (including the time he stole no fewer than eight baguettes from a friend’s car), he’s nothing but a pathologically incorrigible food pilferer and I couldn’t be more embarrassed.
Ingredients (serves 6-8)
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
2 leeks, washed and sliced
3 cloves of garlic
2 red peppers
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 teaspoons’ freshly grated ginger
1 teaspoon paprika (or piment d’Espelette)
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
250g coral lentils
1.5 litres organic vegetable stock
Gently fry the onions, leeks and garlic in olive oil for a few minutes. Once golden brown, add the peppers, carrots, ginger and seasoning. Then add the lentils and pour the stock over the top. Simmer for 30 minutes and then purée. Serve with crispy baguette, if at all possible free of doggie dribble.
21 Comments
Eat Your Veg
You’re so busted Hugo! Not sure how you’re going to get out of this one Mister. His antics always makes me chuckle, maybe he should have his own blog. Lovely soup too, perfect for a miserable and cold January day.
The Healthy Epicurean
Yup: totally busted. And caught in flagrant délit on film! He would like his own blog but he’s far to irresponsible for the time being 😉
Andrea Mynard
It does look like a very tempting baguette, I can’t blame Hugo! Your soup looks scrummy though, it was the word ‘coral’ in the description that enticed me but when I’m very partial to lentil soups at the moment and this version with the red pepper and spices looks wonderful.
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you. The baguette was slightly less tempting once he’d finished with it! Coral lentils make lovely soup, particularly with spices…
apuginthekitchen
Hugo the series, he needs his own show on television. What does Hugo like with his baguette, cheese? Maybe a bowl of that delicious soup..
The Healthy Epicurean
Ha ha – he could set up a doggie channel with the pugs! Yes he does like cheese – he’s particularly partial to camembert. And you’ve just reminded me that he once stole a bowl of soup too *shame*.
Butter, Basil and Breadcrumbs
Ahhh….hahahahaha!! Love Hugo… In his defense…baguettes DO look like big sticks!! He’s making such wonderful and funny memories for you! 🙂
Butter, Basil and Breadcrumbs
I hit the post button too fast… the soup looks delish. It reminds me of a soup that our local grocery store makes. Yes, our grocery store!! It’s such a special treat…they don’t make it all the time. But when they do, I usually stock up. Now I don’t have to!! I have the recipe right here!! 🙂
The Healthy Epicurean
That sounds like a great grocery store for when you’re feeling lazy – my kinda place! 😉
The Healthy Epicurean
That must be it – he thinks they’re big sticks with a bonus – you can eat them once you’ve finished tossing them into the air!
Stacey Bender
Oh, that Hugo is a feisty one isn’t he? Ginger once ate a baguette and the accompanying prosciutto and cheese that I picked up from the market (having trustingly left her with it in the car…).
I love lentils and I love soup; this looks delish!
The Healthy Epicurean
Feisty is a far more charitable description than I would have used ;-). That is one epicurean dog you have – I bet you won’t make that mistake again with Ginger. Mind you, if there’s nothing to eat, Hugo just chews the seats instead – maybe he needs a pacifier!
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Shu
This made me lol! I had a similar experience one, not with a dog but with my little niece…. which probably makes it even worse. Great that it inspired your lentil soup though, it looks delicious! Never heard of it being called coral lentils before, always red lentils, but I guess you are right they are more coral than red and sounds 10x classier. First time here, a friend told me to read it, and really enjoying your blog. Good stuff love 🙂
The Healthy Epicurean
I’m so glad to hear that other people have badly behaved relatives/animals too. Coral lentils is possibly a direct translation from French (lentilles corailles). I can’t now remember whether I’ve actually seen them called that in English… Thank you so much for your comment and I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog. Please come again! 🙂
Fig & Quince
Oh my, that picture of Hugo with the baguette is … everything! It made laugh so hard! I love lentils but have been stuck in a rut sticking to just the brown ones. I shall purchase some cute red ones to make this soup first chance. Sans dubious provenance baguette 😉
The Healthy Epicurean
Next time I’ll try to catch him with a string of garlic over his shoulder too 😉 Coral lentils (or red lentils apparently) are a lovely, more delicate alternative to green ones…
laurasmess
Oh Hugo. He’s such a rascal, I would’ve been rather irate if I caught him with my beautiful fresh baguette! My friend Vicky had a 2-year old weimaraner that stole two quiches, three loaves of banana bread (including one foil-wrapped one… the foil was nowhere to be seen) and several other meat cuts off the kitchen bench over a six-month period. He no longer resides at their house, poor mutt. In other news, I love this recipe – it’s gorgeous, with or without doggie dribble!! xx
The Healthy Epicurean
I think that your friend Vicki’s dog might have to join Hugo on the naughty step. They could sit there and discuss their takings!
annelifaiers
That is hilarious! Brilliant photo too 🙂 And lovely lentil soup – one of my favourites. Love the ginger and paprika in there for extra vavavoom 🙂
The Healthy Epicurean
Thanks Anneli 🙂 You can’t beat lentil soup.