This eggplant and black lentil soup recipe is one I came up with after a Kentucky Food Bloggers event at Whole Foods. I’ve used black lentils a lot more since then, but this recipe still remains a favorite for cool summer days and for transitioning into autumn. It’s thickened with eggplant puree and flavored with tahini and garam masala.
- 6 small eggplants (you need about 1 cup roasted pulp)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4-6 cups vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 cup black lentils
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- If your eggplant is round, de-stem and cut each in half. Longer Japanese style can be roasted whole. Lightly coat the eggplants with 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil and spread in an even layer, cut side down, on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until pulp is very soft. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- In a soup pot, heat the 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high and add the onion and garlic. Cook over medium to medium-high until the onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add 4 cups of the stock. (Reserve the remaining 2 cups to add later, if you want a thinner soup.) Simmer for about 3 minutes.
- Scoop out the cooled eggplant pulp and transfer it to the soup pot. Use an immersion blender to blend the eggplant, onions and garlic with the stock until smooth.
- Add the tahini, and bring the soup to a low boil. Stir in the lentils. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Add the salt, garam masala, black pepper and crushed red pepper. Add more or less of each to taste. Simmer for another minute or two and serve.
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Disclosure: Some products in this recipe were given to me free of charge from Whole Foods Market. I was not required to post about them and received no compensation for doing so. Thoughts here are my own.
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What a comforting fall soup! Looks super delicious! 🙂
very healthy soup!
Looks great! I didn’t get the lentils, I got red rice instead. I was excited about it because I’ve always wanted to cook with it, but never remembered to buy it. Good to see you again this weekend.
This soup looks delicious and I’m looking forward to trying the recipe. I’ve always struggled with eggplant recipes so this is a great find. Pinned it!
Anytime food bloggers gather, enjoy some tasty treat and get an education about organic store like Whole Foods-it had to be a good evening,
We are getting our first Whole Foods this year. WE are really psyched!
Black lentil soup rocks.
thanks.
Eggplants and sesame paste are my frequent foods, and I too enjoy lentils of Indian style. I adore how you put them together.
This soup has delicious and comfort written all over it. I think it wants to give me a big hug.