Indian Lentil Soup (Dal Shorva) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 1 1/2 cups red lentils or 1 1/2 cups yellow lentils
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
2 -3 curry leaves or 2 -3 bay leaves
6 cups chicken stock (preferably home-made) or 6 cups vegetable stock (preferably home-made)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil or 3 tablespoons ghee
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
salt and pepper
1/2 - 1 lemon

Preparation

Rinse the beans or lentils.
Bring to a boil with the stock, turmeric, Cayenne, cumin, cardamom and curry/bay leaves.
Let simmer until the beans or lentils are very soft (ca 30 minutes).
If using bay leaves, remove them now. Curry leaves can be left in the soup.
Run the soup quickly in a blender to a not too smooth consistency (or mash the lentils/beans with a ladle).
Sautee the garlic and mustard seeds lightly in the fat and add to the soup.
Let simmer for another 5 minutes.
Add salt, pepper and squeezed lemon to taste.
Serve hot with pita or paratha bread.