Masoor Dal Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

10 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorn
1 cup masoor dal (red lentils)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon lime juice
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or as desired)

Preparation

Tie the cloves, bay leaves and peppercorns in a piece of cheesecloth.
Put the dal and 5 cups water into a heavy, large pot.
Bring to a boil.
Remove the scum that rises to the top.
Add the spice bag and turmeric to the pot-reduce to simmer and cover pot with lid cracked a bit.
Simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
Remove spice bag and place soup in a food processor ans whirl to smooth.
Return to pot and add remaining ingredients.
Serve with croutons.