Golden Cauliflower Lentil Hearty Soup (Printable Version)

Warming spiced soup with tender cauliflower and wholesome lentils in a creamy coconut broth

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
02 - 1 large carrot, diced
03 - 1 medium onion, chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
06 - 2 cups baby spinach

→ Legumes

07 - 1 cup dried red lentils, rinsed

→ Liquids

08 - 6 cups vegetable broth
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 cup coconut milk

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - ½ teaspoon ground coriander
14 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste
17 - Juice of ½ lemon

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and carrot; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Add garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in turmeric, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to release flavors.
04 - Add cauliflower florets and rinsed lentils. Stir to coat thoroughly with spice mixture.
05 - Pour in vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes until cauliflower is tender and lentils are fully cooked.
06 - Stir in coconut milk and lemon juice. Simmer for 5 additional minutes to meld flavors.
07 - For creamier consistency, use immersion blender to partially blend soup while leaving some texture intact.
08 - Add baby spinach just before serving, allowing to wilt in hot soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of turmeric and coconut milk creates this luxurious velvety texture that feels like a hug
  • Red lentils practically dissolve into the soup, making it thick and satisfying without any cream
  • Everything cooks in one pot, and the spices bloom together into something extraordinary
02 -
  • I once skipped blooming the spices in oil and the whole soup tasted flat and one dimensional
  • Adding the lemon juice at the end instead of the beginning makes an incredible difference in brightness
  • The soup thickens considerably as it sits, so plan to add a splash of broth when reheating leftovers
03 -
  • Grating the ginger on a microplane prevents any fibrous strings in your final soup
  • If you like things spicy, add another pinch of chili flakes during the spice blooming step

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