Two Spicy Soups and Spring Fever

For two or three days last week, mother nature taunted us with spring-like temperatures in the 40's, and today we just finished digging out of about 16 inches of snow! How funny.

So, to ease my winter blues and thaw out once again, I made two of my favorite soups: Spicy Lentil with Cabbage and Curried Red Lentil with Peas. Of course, you can make them as spicy or mild as you like, but I just love the savory heat that cayenne pepper gives to a soup or stew. Also, if you don't have coconut milk, the Curried Red Lentil is just as delicious without it (and lower in fat). Also, if you like a lot of lentils in your soup, feel free to add two cans instead of one.

Spicy Lentil and Cabbage Soup:
Ingredients (makes about 3-4 servings):
* 1 (15 oz) can lentils, do not drain
* 2 tablespoons liquid aminos
* Black pepper, to taste
* 3 cups chopped or shredded red cabbage
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 garlic cloves, chopped
* 2 medium carrots, chopped
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* Cayenne pepper, to taste
* 1 bay leaf
* 2-3 cups water, depending on how thick the soup is
In a soup pot or large saucepan, saute the onion, garlic, carrot, black pepper, cayenne, and bay leaf until the onion is soft. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until the carrot and cabbage are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Curried Red Lentil Soup with Peas
Ingredients (makes 3-4 servings):
* 1 cup dried red lentils
* 3 cups water
* 1/2 cup coconut milk (optional)
* 2 cloves garlic, chopped
* 2 carrots, chopped
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 teaspoon curry powder
* 3/4 teaspoon turmeric
* 3/4 teaspoon cumin
* Cayenne pepper, to taste
* 2 tablespoons liquid aminos
* 1/2 cup frozen green peas

In a soup pot or large saucepan, saute the garlic, carrot and spices in the oil until fragrant, about 45 seconds. Add the rest of the ingredients except the peas and cover. Simmer over low heat until the lentils are tender, about 10-13 minutes. Stir in the peas and cook 1 more minute. Enjoy!