Spicy Sesame Carrot Soup (Printer-Friendly)

A vibrant carrot soup enhanced with toasted sesame, red lentils, garlic, ginger, and a touch of chili flakes.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups chopped carrots (approximately 4 medium)
02 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
03 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated

→ Legumes

04 - 1 cup red lentils, rinsed

→ Oils & Seasonings

05 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
06 - 1 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)

→ Liquids

07 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Peel and chop the carrots into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger.
02 - In a large pot over medium heat, warm the toasted sesame oil. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring until fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
03 - Add the chopped carrots to the pot and sauté for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.
04 - Incorporate the rinsed red lentils, vegetable broth, and chili flakes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are tender.
05 - Use an immersion blender to puree the soup directly in the pot or carefully transfer to a regular blender. Blend until the texture is smooth and creamy.
06 - Serve the soup hot, optionally garnished with a drizzle of toasted sesame oil or additional chili flakes to taste.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Adjust chili flakes according to preferred spice level to suit all palates.