Hearty Vegetable and Red Lentil Soup

To help maintain your 20/20 vision, look no further than the vibrant carrot, which

contains both vitamin A and beta-carotene, an antioxidant. These two not only promote good eyesight, but also help protect your body from ultraviolet rays,prevent heart disease and strokes, act as a poultice to prevent infections, and retain youthful skin.

One of the most popular ingredients in Asian cuisine, ginger is known for its distinct flavor and  many health benefits. This yellow root helps soothe your intestinal tract and treat stomach pain, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea discomfort. What’s more, ginger is said to be effective in preventing nausea, and relieving motion and morning sickness.

Just like carrots, sweet potatoes contain vitamin A and beta-carotene. This combination can also support your immune system, fight cell-damaging free radicals, and even lessen your risk for heart disease and cancer.

Spices have been used to add flavor to foods and for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. In this recipe, we use one with immense benefits: turmeric powder. This spice’s primary pharmacological agent, curcumin, has been proven to provide relief for joint pain and inflammation, lower cholesterol, prevent Alzheimer’s disease and various cancers, and enhance liver function.

Ingredients

• 3 cups of red lentils
• 1 large onion
• 5 medium carrots
• 5 medium potatoes
• 1 large sweet potato
• Fresh ginger root, 1 inch long
• 4 medium cloves of garlic
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• Salt and cayenne pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1 tablespoon of dry seaweed mix

Procedure:

1. Boil 3 quarts of filtered water in an 8-quart pot.
2. Add lentils.
3. Add all vegetables (washed, uncut, and unpeeled) to the boiling water.
4. Add ginger (peeled but uncut) and 3 cloves of garlic.
5. Add turmeric, curry powder, and salt and cayenne pepper to taste.
6. Cook vegetables, ginger, and garlic until ready for about 30 minutes. Use a ladle to take them out on a big plate, and let them cool for about 20 minutes (while lentils continue simmering).
7. Blend cooled vegetables, ginger, and garlic in batches with generous amount of filtered water.
8. Return to pot and reheat.
9. Add finely minced clove of garlic (add salt if needed).

Note: If using seaweed, reconstitute them in 2 cups of boiling water, let them cool, and then blend along with vegetables.

Prep and cook time: 2 hours
This recipe makes 20 servings.

http://recipes.mercola.com/vegetable-lentil-soup-recipe.aspx