Aarti's Red Lentils Soup

We've been enjoying this wonderful recipe that I just had to share with you. I changed it so it some so I could use the ingredients I had already and not go out and buy more things for my cupboard.


Murphy family's Aarti Parti Soup
Serves:4
Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils, picked through for stones
• 2 cups water
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 serrano chile, sliced in 1/2, optional
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard
• Generous 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Directions

Put the lentils in a strainer and rinse them under running water. Add them to a bowl, cover with water and let soak for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of water, the onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, chile, if using, and the lentils. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Skim any scum from the surface. DO NOT ADD SALT YET; it will toughen the lentils, thereby lengthening their cooking time. Lower the heat, cover the pot with a lid and gently simmer until the lentils are tender, almost translucent, and almost falling apart, about 30 to 40 minutes.
Whisk the lentils, releasing its natural starch, and mash some them so the mixture becomes thick. Add remaining ingredients.  Add salt, to taste.
Transfer the lentils to a serving dish and garnish with cilantro if desired.