Moroccan Lentil Soup
From the Kitchen at The Cliffs of Moher Retreat
Serves 4
There’s something deeply comforting about a bowl of this Moroccan-inspired lentil soup. It’s rich in colour, full of grounding vegetables, and spiced just enough to warm you from the inside out. This recipe has been a long-time favourite at The Cliffs of Moher Retreat – simple, wholesome, and full of heart.
Ingredients
Veggies
- 1 courgette
- 1 large carrot (or 2 small)
- 1 medium onion
- 1 chilli (adjust to taste)
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 inch of fresh ginger
- ½ tin chopped tomatoes (about 200 g)
- 1 cup red lentils
Spices & Seasoning
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- Pinch of cumin
- Pinch of ground coriander
- 1 tsp honey
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional additions: pinch of paprika, bay leaf, tiny pinch of cinnamon, or a touch of cayenne pepper
To Finish
- Small handful of fresh parsley
- Natural yogurt for serving
Method
- Prepare the vegetables: Roughly chop the courgette, carrot, onion, and chilli. Peel and slice the garlic and ginger.
- Blend: In a food processor, blitz the vegetables with a little water until roughly blended – you want some texture left in the mix.
- Cook the base: Pour the blended mixture into a saucepan. Add about 750 ml of water (roughly ¾ full if using a medium pot) and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in the red lentils, cover, and simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until the lentils are soft.
- Add flavour: Stir in the chopped tomatoes, honey, spices, salt, and pepper. Adjust to taste, adding extra chilli or a pinch of cayenne if you like it hot. Simmer for another 10 minutes to let the flavours come together.
- Finish and serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with a swirl of natural yogurt and a few sprigs of parsley. If your yogurt is too thick to swirl, thin it with a splash of milk.
Retreat Notes
This is one of those recipes that invites improvisation – a little more spice on cold days, a squeeze of lemon for brightness, or an extra handful of lentils if you want it heartier. It’s been loved by our guests for years, and it never fails to bring comfort after a wild Atlantic walk.