curried chana dal soup

alright mother nature, i fold - i'm finally ready to give in to autumn.  and not just because the equinox told me so, or because i've tucked away my sandals for another year, but because i'm ready to simmer soup.

i love one pot meals and this soup was the perfect lunch.  and then dinner.  and then next days lunch.

if i can help myself, next time i'll try to freeze a few portions as i begin to stock my freezer with quick post-babe meals.

curried chana dal soup inspired by this recipe from 101 cookbooks
2 cups yellow split peas {chana dal}
7 cups water
2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small cooking onion, diced
3 green onions, diced
1 1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp corriander
1/2 tsp amchur powder {optional}
3 tsp sea salt
1 large carrot, chopped
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 can coconut milk
2 cups kale, stems removed & thinly sliced

start by rinsing the split peas under cold water, then place them in a large pot along with 7 cups of fresh water and bring it to a boil.  add the ginger, cover, and reduce to simmer for 25-30 minutes.  in a small frying pan, saute the onion in the olive oil until starting to brown.  then add in the spices and stir to cook through.  scrape this into the pot along with the carrots, tomato paste and coconut milk and stir well.  allow the soup to return to a simmer for another 15-20 minutes, then fold in the kale and serve.

thin the soup with more water if you like, or keep the pot simmering to thicken it up more.  we ate up our first servings as is and then as it sat on the stove until dinner it thicken to a wicked stew-like curry which we enjoyed over some short grain brown rice.  so hearty and wholesome and warming.

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on another note, i'm a little sad to say that i won't be participating in vegan mofo this year.  i loved it last year and had so much fun getting creative in my kitchen and also keeping up with everyone else's kitchen antics.  this year is proving to be a little bit busier for me and i don't think i've got it in me.  but i do hope to keep up with all of you who are going to mofo!

i'll be keepin' an eye out for one pot meals too...