Vegan: Lentil and Coconut Soup with Cilantro-Habanero Gremolata Recipe

J. Kenji López-Alt
Vegan: Lentil and Coconut Soup with Cilantro-Habanero Gremolata Recipe
*
  • Yield:makes about 2 1/2 quarts, serving 4 to 6
  • Active time:30 minutes
  • Total time:2 hours
  • Rated: 5.0
This recipe appears in:
Vegan: Coconut Lentil Soup with Cilantro-Habanero Gremolata
Note: Wear plastic gloves and use a separate cutting board when chopping the habanero pepper. You do not want to get it anywhere near your eyes or skin.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 large onion, finely diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 2 stalks celery, finely diced (about 3/4 cup)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced on a microplane grater
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger grated on a microplane grater
  • 1 small habanero or serrano pepper, seeds and ribs removed, flesh finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seed
  • 1 pound dry brown lentils
  • 3 quarts water or vegetable stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 (12-ounce) can coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce, such as Frank's
  • 1/4 cup juice from 2 limes
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • Kosher Salt
  • For the Gremolata:
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
  • 1 small habanero or serrano pepper, seeds and ribs removed, flesh finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced on a microplane grater
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated on a microplane grater
  • 1 tablespoon zest from one orange, grated on a microplane grater

Directions

  1. 1.

    Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add carrots, onions, and celery, and cook, stirring frequently, until softened but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, habanero pepper, cumin, and coriander and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute longer.

  2. 2.

    Add lentils, water, bay leaves, and coconut milk.Bring to a boil over high heat and reduce to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lentils are completely tender and have started to break down and thicken the soup, about 1 1/2 hours, adding more water or vegetable stock if soup begins to get too thick. Add chopped cilantro and stir to incorporate.

  3. 3.

    Discard bay leaves. If desired, partially puree some of the soup with a hand blender or in a standing blender to thicken. Add hot sauce, lime juice, and soy sauce and stir to combine. Season to taste with kosher salt.

  4. 4.

    For the Gremolata: combine all ingredients in a small bowl.

  5. 5.

    Ladle soup into individual bowls, sprinkle with gremolata mixture, and serve.

Show 17 Comments