As the festive season winds down and the calendar becomes a blur, many across the UK find themselves craving something nourishing and simple. After days of rich Christmas feasts and endless chocolate, a hearty bowl of soup offers the perfect antidote.
The Ultimate Comfort Food Gets a Flavour Boost
For writer Nicola Roy, soup is a year-round staple, from chilled gazpacho in Barcelona to the ultimate British comfort food: lentil soup. While the traditional recipe is a wholesome favourite, relying on chopped vegetables, lentils, and stock, it can sometimes lack excitement after repeated servings.
The solution, according to Roy, is surprisingly simple and likely already sitting in your kitchen cupboard. The secret weapon is a generous spoonful of curry paste. While some might dismiss it as a shortcut, Roy champions it as a godsend for instantly injecting deep, complex flavour into a simmering pot.
How to Build Your Curried Lentil Soup
Roy has been perfecting this adaptable recipe throughout the year. The base begins with frying finely diced shallots in olive oil until fragrant. The key step follows: stirring in two tablespoons of your chosen curry paste. Roy opts for a tikka masala blend, a nod to her Scottish heritage, and cooks it until bubbling.
Next, add your prepared vegetables and washed red lentils. The recipe suggests a classic mix of carrots, leek, and potatoes, but encourages swaps for onions, celery, or sweet potato. Pour in one litre of vegetable or chicken stock—add more for a thinner consistency—and bring to a boil.
Additional spices like turmeric, garam masala, and chilli flakes are optional, but caution is advised with extra salt as the curry paste is often quite salty already. After reducing to a simmer and cooking for 30-40 minutes with the lid on, you have a choice: serve it chunky or blend it smooth.
A Customisable Bowl of Goodness
The final bowl is a canvas for personal taste. A swirl of cream, a sprinkle of fresh coriander, or a drizzle of olive oil adds the finishing touch. Served with a slice of buttered bread for dunking, this curried lentil soup transforms a simple staple into a vibrant, satisfying meal that’s ideal for a chilly winter’s day.
This clever hack proves that with one simple, pantry-ready ingredient, you can turn an everyday classic into something truly special, offering both comfort and a much-needed flavour boost after the holiday indulgence.
