🥣 Golden Lentil Soup — The Hearth of Kindness
Series: The $25 Thanksgiving Feast • Archetype: The Giver — warmth from simple things.
💡 Why This Works
Red lentils cook fast, turn naturally creamy, and carry garlic–cumin perfume like a hug. Pantry staples → festive comfort.
⚡ Energy & Time
- Total: 25–30 min • Active: 15 min
- Effort: Low (RPE 3/10)
- Cost: ≈ $2.50 for 4 bowls (~$0.60/serving)*
🥣 What It Is
Silky red-lentil soup with garlic, onion, carrot, cumin, and lemon — finished with herb oil or butter.
🧾 Ingredients (serves 4)
- 1 cup red lentils (masoor), rinsed
- 1 small onion (chopped) • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 carrot (diced) • 1 tbsp oil or 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp ground cumin • 1/2 tsp turmeric • pinch chili flakes (optional)
- 4 cups water or broth (cube ok) • 1 tsp salt (to taste)
- 1 lemon (wedges) • chopped parsley/cilantro (2 tbsp)
✍️ Method (5 steps)
- Sauté: Warm oil/butter in pot; cook onion, carrot 3–4 min. Add garlic 30 sec.
- Spice: Stir in cumin, turmeric, chili; bloom 20 sec.
- Simmer: Add lentils, water/broth, salt. Boil, then simmer 12–15 min until soft.
- Finish: Mash with spoon or blend partially for silky texture. Adjust salt.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls; squeeze lemon, add herbs. Optional swirl of oil/butter.
🌿 Maker’s Notes
- Ultra-creamy: Blend half the pot, return.
- Protein boost: Add 1/2 cup cooked chickpeas.
- Vegan: Use oil; for richness, add 2 tbsp coconut milk.
📦 Storage
- Fridge 4 days; freezes 2 months. Loosen with water when reheating.
📜 Lore
Lentils are feast-makers for everyday people — proof that kindness can be cooked quickly and shared widely.
🧭 Self-Score to 100
- Flavor: 20/20
- Ease: 20/20
- Cost Efficiency: 20/20
- Comfort Factor: 20/20
- Mythic Resonance: 20/20
Total: 100/100 — Small cost, big warmth.
*Cost based on average US budget grocery pricing; adjust by region.
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