This is a delicious and versatile soup with an onion, carrot, potato and lentil base to which you may add whatever vegetables you like or have available. If you like a spicy soup, add some curry or chilli powder.

Ingredients

8oz red lentils
2 pints vegetable stock or water
1 large onion
2 large carrots, grated
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
Salt and black pepper to season

Plus any of the following:

2 sticks celery, chopped
1 courgette, sliced
Handful chopped green beans (if you are using frozen green beans, simply snap them)
¼ cabbage, shredded
1 parsnip, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed or finely chopped
1 tsp (or adjust amount to your taste) curry or chilli powder

Preparation method

1 Put the stock or water with the lentils in a large pan. Bring to the boil and cook vigorously for around ten minutes.
2 Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for around 20 minutes, or until vegetable are tender. Season with salt and pepper.