Orange Lentil Soup(Adapted From The Vegetarian Epicure By Anna Thomas) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
6 carrots, grated
1 c. orange lentils, picked over and cleaned
5 c. water
rind of 1 lemon, grated
1 cube chicken or vegetable broth (optional)
juice of 1 lemon
2 Tbsp. fresh chopped sweet basil (1 Tbsp. dry)
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Saute onion and garlic in butter in soup pot until translucent.
Add grated carrots and stir for 1 minute.
Add lentils, water, chicken or vegetable cube (if used) and lemon rind.
Let soup come to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 40 minutes.
Add lemon juice and basil; simmer for another 20 minutes.
Add salt and pepper to taste.