I don’t do Januarys. Christmas lights have come down and with that a sense of greyness has descended. The coldest, dreariest and seemingly longest month of the year is not the time for the self-inflicted misery of restricted diets and sobriety. The summer months are prefect for salads and smoothies. January calls for hearty, comforting foods that wrap themselves around you like a warm blanket.

Thankfully, healthy and hearty are not mutually exclusive. This little soup ticks all the January boxes. It is quick to prepare with zero chopping and peeling. It is virtually fat-free and is high in fibre – both attributes that tend to be high on the January agenda. But most importantly, for me at least, it is decadent and deeply satisfying. It is creamy and buttery, belying its fat-free righteousness. The lentils impart a nutty flavour and a toothsome texture – it feels like so much more than just a soup.

You come home from work tired and cold and perhaps a little cranky because some Biddy* at the bus stop nearly took your eye out with her umbrella. This rich and nourishing soup can be on the table in 20 minutes, with most of that time being spent toasting your toes by the fire. It is only slightly more troublesome than heating a can of soup but simply cannot be compared in terms of nourishment, flavour and satisfaction.

(*A “Biddy” is a slightly derogatory term for an Irish woman.)

Unless I am baking I rarely weigh ingredients, but instead use mugs and bowls to measure dry goods. For this recipe I have provided both specific and “mug” measurements. As long as your mug is average size (about 12 oz) it should still work out perfectly as the water to lentil ratio remains the same.

I use fish sauce to season my soups. You really can’t taste the fish – it simply imparts a deep, umami flavour. However, if you’re not fond of fish sauce, don’t have any to hand or want a vegetarian / vegan soup then you can substitute sea salt or part of a stock cube. Do not add either salt or stock cube to the water when boiling the lentils as it tends to toughen them and they will never quite soften.

There are few things that will warm your winter cockles quite like this soup. Whiskey does, of course, work well against winter chills. Whiskey doesn’t really work in this soup, but if you put a nip in your hot chocolate later, I won’t tell anyone!

PS: Our half pig is arriving tomorrow to be butchered from scratch. This could be interesting!

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More Soup Recipes

CREAMY BROCCOLI & CHEDDAR SOUP:
This nutritious and filling soup is wonderfully creamy and has a rich flavour from the sharp cheddar cheese. Perfect on its own as a lunch or as a hearty appetizer. (View recipe)

CREAMY ZUCCHINI / COURGETTE SOUP:
This super-easy recipe contains just 5 ingredients and is dairy free, but produces a rich and luxuriously creamy soup. Definitely worth trying.(View recipe)

PUMPKIN & PEANUT BUTTER SOUP:
The addition of peanut butter (homemade, of course – see my recipe here) makes this a creamy, silky soup, perfect for cold evenings. Delicious with a slice of soda bread – see above. (View recipe)