Make Ahead
Carrot, Sweet Potato, and Red Lentil Soup with Moroccan Flavors
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56 Reviews
Sarah
December 29, 2020
Fantastic soup! It’s so rare to find a soup with sweet potato that isn’t too sweet, but that still embraces the flavor. This is a perfect mix. I used garam masala with a bit more cayenne. And in the end, I did stir in some cream which made it a little more deluxe and a little less root-vegetables-are-good-for you.
Cindy
October 15, 2019
Loved this! So easy and so full of flavors that I don't typically cook with. Will definitely make again.
macfly18
January 16, 2018
This was great. I agree with one commenter that it needed some acid, so I gave it a squeeze of lemon juice. The greek yogurt also gave it some tang. And I'll probably chop up some preserved lemon to add to the leftovers. I also roasted the carrot and sweet potato and cut the stock down to 6 cups, though I ended up needing to thin it out before serving. So maybe 8 cups would have been fine even with the roasted veggies. Overall, definite winner. This will go into our regular soup rotation.
Mae
November 18, 2017
Yum! The first time I made this I followed the recipe to a T. This time, I used yellow split peas instead of red lentils (soaked them overnight so they'd cook faster) and I used garam masala instead of Ras el Hanout. So so so good! I love how warm the flavors are. And incredibly easy too!
Kelsey S.
October 23, 2016
I don't have red lentils, but I do have brown lentils...would that work?
Burnt O.
October 23, 2016
They will be fine. It just won't have the vibrant orange color and will look a little muddy. Should still taste great! Brown lentils have a stronger taste and texture than the red, but the other flavors will go fine with them.
Jenna C.
September 30, 2016
Magic! I subbed Ras el Hanout with Baharat (allspice, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and coriander) and had a heavy pour on the harissa. Flavor explosion.
Miles W.
January 27, 2016
I decided to make a meal of this by taking the meat off of a rotisserie chicken and putting it in the serving bowls before ladeling in the hot soup. Also doubled the harissa.
Here's the recipe for making your own Ras el Hanout from the Joy of Cooking cookbook...just mix together the following:
2 tbsp ground ginger
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp ground allspice
2 tsp grated or ground nutmeg
2 tsp ground mace
2 tsp ground cardamom
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground red pepper (I used cayenne)
Here's the recipe for making your own Ras el Hanout from the Joy of Cooking cookbook...just mix together the following:
2 tbsp ground ginger
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp ground allspice
2 tsp grated or ground nutmeg
2 tsp ground mace
2 tsp ground cardamom
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground red pepper (I used cayenne)
ghainskom
October 30, 2015
Skipped the harissa to make it kids-friendly and I didn't miss it. Much much much better the day after. We had it with cilantro for garnish and beetroot bread (http://www.twiggstudios.com/2014/05/beetroot-and-walnut-bread/) on the side. No need to double the recipe for 4 (2 adults and 2 kids), we even had leftovers. Definite keeper.
boggler
October 4, 2015
Does anyone have any idea what the nutritional value of one serving of this soup would be? i.e. calories, carbs, etc.
Anna
June 26, 2015
I would say that although it was a 30-minute cooking time, the prep took quite a bit longer (granted, I just do things slowly). I didn't have any Harissa, so I exchanged that for some sriracha chilli sauce and a dash of ghost pepper sauce - which was perfect for a slow building but intense kick. My mom and little sister loved it, and so did I!
carlito
November 3, 2014
This soup is the truth. So easy and so good. I made my own paste that resembled harissa by soaking a roasted bell pepper, roasted serrano pepper, roasted red jalapeno and dried guajillo chilies in boiling water and blending with coriander, cumin and salt.
LittleRobinRed
June 25, 2014
Made this soup and loved it! I used a powdered Harissa, but failed to read the previous comment about halving the amount, so mine turned out extra spicy. It was still good, though. I added some turkey meatballs because I have the kind of hubby that doesn't know what to do it he doesn't see meat on the table, but it wasn't needed; the soup is a very satisfying meal on its own.
byb
March 12, 2014
I made this soup last night and it is absolutely wonderful! The flavors compliment each other in a way that I wouldn't have expected. Now, because I'm always up for making extra work for myself, I'm wondering how the results would vary if the carrots and sweet potatoes were roasted a bit at a high temp to brown them a bit before they went into the pot. Has anyone given this a try?
Robin
March 12, 2014
That's a great idea. Maybe add the lentils to the onions, stock and spices and let them cook then add the roasted veggies. Hmmm, that's worth a try. Roasting vegetables brings out so much flavor.
Robin
March 11, 2014
Found this simply searching for a vegetable soup. What a hit with my family. I live in the DC metro area but couldn't find Ras el Hanout. My Moroccan friend had the spice. He brought it back from his homeland. If anyone knows where in Northern Virginia I can find this wonderful spice, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, for those, like me, that have never heard of Harissa paste I found Harissa (which Whole Foods considers a dip) in the refrigerator section. The brand is Cava. Couldn't find "paste" in any international stores. Is there a difference? Also, are all red lentils split?
Burnt O.
March 11, 2014
Thanks Robin! I am a cooking instructor for Williams Sonoma - your local WS store should carry Ras el Hanout. I like the Cava brand of paste - very peppery and bright. My red lentils are whole. Very tiny.
anne
March 2, 2014
I have made this twice now, with various measurements. The first time had no lentils, ras al hanout, harissa. Subbed mousaka spices (cinnamon, corriander, cumin) and chili sambal. Turned out great! Second time, only had half of a sweet potato, used extra carrot. Still delicious. So very warming on a rainy San Francisco night. And the aroma wafting from my apartment, well, a neighbor commented the next day! Thank you for a great soup that is so low on effort and so high in returns.
Rhonda35
February 3, 2014
I made this soup exactly as is right down to the garnishes and it was delicious. The next day, I decided to skip the garnishes and instead added a drizzle of blood orange olive oil...OMG! Out of the world! So, if you ever have the chance to scoop up some blood orange olive oil, go for it and then make this soup. :-)
boggler
January 16, 2014
Question about soups in general. Should the pot be covered or uncovered when simmering? Thanks in advance for your answer.
Burnt O.
January 16, 2014
In GENERAL, most soups only have to simmer 20-30 minutes, so it doesn't matter too much if the lid is on or off, but if you're making a soup that needs to be pureed later, or cook a longer time, like split pea, or bean soup, I say lid ON. If you're making a quick soup, or one whose flavor is enhanced by reducing a bit like French Onion, or chicken soup, or a richly flavored broth, I'd say lid off. Obviously, any stew needs a braise, so the lid would be on, so the steam helps to cook the meat and vegetables.
Ann W.
January 15, 2014
Can I turn my tin of dried harissa spice bled into pasta? Just add some olive oil? Also, since I'd be blending my own Ras El Hanout, what is this adding that isn't in the harissa? I can just go by taste, but am hoping my 2.5 year-old will eat it, so don't want it to be TOO spiced. Suggestions? Many thanks!
Burnt O.
January 16, 2014
You could easily substitute a dried harrisa powder for the paste. No need to make a paste out of it, but I would cut the amount in 1/2 and taste it carefully before adding more to taste. The paste has more of a tomatoey / chili base, so you might want to add a TBL of tomato paste to your soup. Ras El Hanout is not in Harrissa, and gives the soup a warm, complex flavor. It does not add heat. By all means, season the soup to YOUR tastes, and those of your family. It is easy to spice it up or down accordingly.
peenerbambina
January 7, 2014
Out. Of. This. World. Very low fat for slimmers. And(for UK readers) I managed to get all of the spices from Tesco. Score!
Burnt O.
January 7, 2014
So glad you liked it! With temps well below freezing and in single digits Faranheit here - I think I may have to make a batch this week!
boggler
January 6, 2014
I made my own Ras el Hanout. 2 tsps. each ground ginger, cardamom, and mace. 1 tsp. each ground cinnamon, allspice, coriander, nutmeg, and turmeric. 1/2 tsp. each ground black pepper, white pepper (I used all black), cayenne pepper, and ground anise seeds, and 1/4 tsp. ground cloves. Mix well and there you have it - Ras el Hanout.
Just made the soup and my taste buds are tingling. It is divine - so flavourful and creamy (without any dairy added).
Just made the soup and my taste buds are tingling. It is divine - so flavourful and creamy (without any dairy added).
evansmom
January 5, 2014
What is Ras el Hanout, and what can I substitute for the harissa paste, since I *don't* live near Whole Foods nor in the Mid-Atlantic area? I don't have an immersion blender; can I just run this through my food processor instead?
Kate
January 6, 2014
You can definitely run it through your food processor in batches. Ras el Hanout is a Middle Eastern spice blend - if you live near a middle eastern grocer, they might stock both the Ras el Hanout and the harissa; otherwise, you can look up recipes for both online and use what you have.
sheredel
January 3, 2014
have absolutely none of the spices you are using! however really want to make this and NO WAY am I venturing out again today! suggestions to try, have lots of other spices-
Burnt O.
January 6, 2014
Just saw this, but you could use cumin, coriander, garlic, ginger, and cayenne pepper for the heat. It won't taste the same, but it will be good!
Rémy R.
November 19, 2013
Love this - you're so right that it tastes much more complicated than it is to prepare. I added red quinoa and, after reheating, fresh spinach - makes for a really satisfying desk lunch. Thank you!
Kendra A.
November 18, 2013
I made this on Saturday and it was delicious! I didn't find Harissa paste at my local grocery store but they had a dried mixture so I used that, and I think it worked just fine. I'll keep an eye out for the paste, and this is definitely going into my soup rotation! Thanks!
denise&food
November 4, 2013
I made this today and it was delicious. Spicy,tasty,filling and perfect for the cool weather ahead. We really enjoyed it.
The S.
October 28, 2013
The most perfect soup for the first blustery night of the season. We're enjoying every spoonful!
Maria
October 25, 2013
Delicious! Like your description says, it is handy for emptying out the pantry. Well, more like fridge! I liked the spicy touch that the Harissa added. I didn't add any yogurt and ate it with some naan bread.
erinbdm
October 20, 2013
I love this soup! Thanks for the recipe. I couldn't find harissa paste anywhere in my area, so I used harissa spice powder instead. I'm sure the paste would have worked better--I'll have to order some. I found the end result needed just a touch of brightening for my taste, so I added some lemon juice.
Kate
October 14, 2013
Yummy! I found the Greek yogurt mellowed it out a little too much for my spice-o-phile tastes, so I doubled up the ras el hanout and harissa. I love that it's so quick and easy to make! And very freezable....
Burnt O.
October 14, 2013
I liked it because it was really easy to season it to taste. Like you - I like it spicy. I added more harissa and Ras El Hanout than I called for in the original recipe to keep it reasonable. And yes - VERY freezable. So glad you liked it!
calendargirl
October 10, 2013
Congrats, Linda! I had the pleasure of testing this. We love it, especially with the Cava brand harissa. I put some in the freezer for some sun on a chilly day.
Burnt O.
October 10, 2013
Thanks Calendargirl! So honored. There were a TON of soups that looked amazing. I bookmarked a lot of them for our Sunday Soup group.
gingerroot
September 25, 2013
Linda! So good to see you here. This sounds fabulous, I look forward to trying it. Cheers, Jenny
Burnt O.
October 10, 2013
Thanks Jenny! Sorry I haven't been on Twitter in ages. I'm the Social Media Chair for the League of Women Voters in MD and their FB and Twitter feeds keep me busy!
gingerroot
October 10, 2013
No worries, Linda! And well-deserved congrats!! I had a feeling about this amazing soup.
healthierkitchen
September 24, 2013
This sounds great! Was this first on your weekly soup list? I also like Cava's harissa - more tomato-ey than peppery!
Burnt O.
September 24, 2013
It will be! It's what gave me the idea. I LOVE Cava's harissa! So spicy! I put it in my eggs, on toast, everything.
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