Rajasthani Spiced Lentil Soup

Ingredients

While the original Braveća juha is a Croatian soup made with a variety of vegetables and meat, the Rajasthani Spiced Lentil Soup is a vegetarian adaptation that focuses on lentils and aromatic spices. The Rajasthani version incorporates traditional Rajasthani spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala, which give the soup its unique flavor profile. Additionally, the Rajasthani Spiced Lentil Soup is thicker in consistency compared to the original Braveća juha. We alse have the original recipe for Braveća juha, so you can check it out.

• 1 cup (200g) red lentils 1 cup (200g) red lentils
• 1/2 cup (100g) split chickpeas (chana dal) 1/2 cup (100g) split chickpeas (chana dal)
• 1 tablespoon ghee or vegetable oil 1 tablespoon ghee or vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tomatoes, chopped 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste) 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• Salt to taste Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 5g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 5g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 10g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the red lentils and split chickpeas under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the ghee or vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds.
3. 3.
   Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the pot. Sauté until the onion turns translucent.
4. 4.
   Stir in the chopped tomatoes, ground coriander, ground turmeric, garam masala, and red chili powder. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes soften.
5. 5.
   Add the rinsed lentils and split chickpeas to the pot, followed by the vegetable broth. Season with salt to taste.
6. 6.
   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils and chickpeas are tender and cooked through.
7. 7.
   Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, blend the soup until smooth and creamy. If using a regular blender, allow the soup to cool slightly before blending in batches.
8. 8.
   Return the soup to the pot and adjust the seasoning if needed. If the soup is too thick, add more vegetable broth or water to reach the desired consistency.
9. 9.
   Reheat the soup if necessary and serve hot. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lentils — Rinse the lentils thoroughly before cooking to remove any impurities.
• Split chickpeas — Soak the split chickpeas in water for 1-2 hours before cooking to reduce the cooking time.
• Cumin seeds — Toasting the cumin seeds in a dry pan for a few seconds before adding them to the soup will enhance their flavor.
• Ghee — If using ghee, make sure it is melted and clarified before adding it to the pot.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier soup, increase the amount of red chili powder or add a finely chopped green chili.
• Serve the Rajasthani Spiced Lentil Soup with warm naan bread or steamed rice for a complete meal.
• Customize the soup by adding vegetables like carrots, spinach, or potatoes for extra nutrition and flavor.
• If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend only half of the soup and leave the rest as is.
• Make a larger batch of the soup and freeze individual portions for quick and convenient meals.

Serving advice

Serve the Rajasthani Spiced Lentil Soup hot in individual bowls. Garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for added freshness and color. Accompany the soup with warm naan bread or steamed rice for a satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Present the Rajasthani Spiced Lentil Soup in a rustic-style bowl, allowing the vibrant golden color of the soup to shine through. Place a sprig of fresh cilantro on top as a garnish. Serve the soup alongside warm naan bread or steamed rice on a wooden platter for an authentic Rajasthani touch.