Lentil, Sweet Potato & Chilli Soup

Like an ex-boyfriend of mine, the days are short, cold and miserable. I hate winter, I was made for a warmer climate than the drizzly Peak District - however a warm bowl of soup on a winter lunch time is so comforting it can give me temporary amnesia and fool me momentarily into believing that I LOVE damp and grey days.

I don't have much room in my freezer but I always make sure there is space for a few spare containers of this soup. Its smooth, spicy and soothing...like another ex-boyfriend of mine.

Ingredients

Makes a decent 6-10 portions dependant on your personal intake so be prepared to serve a lot of people of have some freezer space ready! If you want less simply half the ingredients.

2 white onions

3 gloves garlic (optional, I just love garlic so I tend to put it in everything)

3 sweet potatoes (butternut squash can be substituted if you prefer)

2 stalks celery

250g red lentils

1.5 litres stock or bullion (please use bullion, it's so much nicer)

1 can coconut milk

3 red chilies

1 lime

Coriander garnish (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Boil your kettle and make your stock so it is ready

2. Put a large pan on a medium heat with a little rapeseed or vegetable oil (NOT olive oil, it doesn't do well at high heats when frying and changes the taste)

3. Peel and dice your onions, celery, sweet potatoes and garlic

4. Add your celery and onion to the pan, wait for them to soften then add your potato and garlic. Cook for a further few minutes.

5. Add 2 chilies (diced) and save the other for a garnish. If you don't like it too spicy avoid adding the seeds, that's where the heat lives!

6. add a little salt and pepper then add your lentils.

7. Stir everything until its all mixed and your pan is hot.

8. Add your stock and leave it to simmer until your lentils are cooked (should be between 30mins-1hour)

9. Make sure to come back and give it a stir with some frequency - the lentils will sink to the bottom and stick to your pan if you don't.

10. Once cooked take of the heat, add the coconut milk and squeeze the lime juice into the pan then mix with a hand blender until smooth.

11. Once bowled up use your leftover chili and coriander as a garnish (I like to swirl hot sauce on as well because I love the spice!)

12. Get some cozy socks on, put some trash tv on and get snuggly.

Serving suggestion - instead of regular bread for dunking, try it with some naan bread for something a little different!