Silky red lentils and sweet butternut squash make a golden, warmly spiced soup, finished with tender rainbow chard and a squeeze of lemon.
- Total time: 45 min
- Servings: 2 servings
- Estimated total cost: $6
- Calories per serving: 450 cal
- Stovetop
Drink pairing: A lightly off-dry Riesling complements the warm spices and lemon.
Details
Ingredients
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Butternut squash1½ lb whole squash (about 1 lb peeled and seeded) $1.49
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Dry red lentils¾ cup $3.49
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Organic rainbow chard8 oz $2.99
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Yellow onion¼ lb (about ½ cup chopped) $0.89
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Garlic2 cloves $0.79
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Olive oil1 tablespoon
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Ground cumin1 teaspoon
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Ground turmeric½ teaspoon
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Ground cinnamon¼ teaspoon
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Morton kosher salt3¼ teaspoons
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Organic lemon½ lemon (about 1 tablespoon juice) $1.29
Instructions
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Peel and seed 1½ lb butternut squash, then cut the flesh into ¾-inch cubes.
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Separate the stems and leaves of 8 oz rainbow chard. Thinly slice the stems and cut the leaves into ribbons.
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Finely chop ¼ lb yellow onion and mince 2 garlic cloves.
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Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring, until softened.
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Add:
- The minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Stir for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
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Add:
- The cubed squash
- ¾ cup dry red lentils
- 3 teaspoons Morton kosher salt
- 4 cups water
Bring to a boil, then simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 12 minutes.
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Add the sliced chard stems and simmer for about 8 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender and the lentils have broken down. Mash a few squash cubes against the side of the pot to thicken the soup slightly.
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Stir in the chard leaves and the remaining ¼ teaspoon Morton kosher salt. Simmer for about 3 minutes, until the leaves wilt. Squeeze in ½ lemon (about 1 tablespoon juice).
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Ladle the soup into two bowls, distributing the squash and chard evenly.
Want more detail? See the temperature guide.