Red lentil and butternut squash soup

This is made possible by BBC Foods!

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 fat garlic cloves, finely chopped (optional)
• 7.5cm/3 inch piece of root ginger, peeled and finely grated
• ½ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
• 300g/10½oz red lentils
• 1.2 litres/2 pints hot vegetable stock
• 300g/10½oz butternut squash, cut into 1cm/½-inch cubes
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Heat half the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy-based saucepan.

2. Add half the garlic, if using, half the ginger, and all the chili flakes, if using.

3. Fry, stirring all the time, for 1 minute. Add the lentils and fry.

4. Pour in the stock and bring it to a boil.

5. Simmer, with the lid off, for 10–12 minutes, or until the lentils are soft.

6. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a heavy-based frying pan.

7. Add the remaining garlic and ginger and the butternut squash and cook, stirring, for 12 minutes.

8. Add the butternut squash to the lentils and cook for a further 5 minutes.

9. Remove from the heat and blitz using a stick blender until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Banner and Image Credit: BBC