Spiced carrot and lentil soup with cheesy pesto toasties recipe

Spiced carrot and lentil soup with cheesy pesto toasties

Created by The Tesco Recipes team

This carrot soup recipe is a cut above! Gently spiced to complement the sweetness of the carrot, with lentils for added creaminess, this is a wholesome winter warmer. Add the cheesy pesto toasties and you've got a feast! So simple to make, this is perfect midweek or Sunday night comfort food.

See method
  • Serves 4
  • Takes 50 mins
  • 605 calories / serving

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 onions, roughly chopped
  • 2 large garlic cloves, finely crushed​
  • 2 tbsp cumin seeds
  • 900g carrots, scrubbed, ends trimmed and cut into 1cm rounds
  • 150g red lentils, rinsed
  • 1 reduced-salt vegetable stock cube, crumbled
  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • 2 tbsp green pesto
  • 8 slices wholemeal bread
  • 80g mature grated Cheddar
  • 10g fresh coriander, finely chopped

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Each serving contains

Energy
2530kJ 605.0kcal
30%
Fat
19g
low28%
Saturates
6g
low29%
Salt
1.5g
low25%
Sugars
23g
low26%

of the Reference intake

Carbohydrate 71.3gProtein 24.9gFibre 22.5g

Method

  1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onions, cover and cook for 10 mins, stirring occasionally. Stir in the garlic and 1 tbsp cumin seeds, cook for 1 min, then add the carrots, lentils, stock cube and 1.5ltrs boiling water. Bring to the boil, cover, then simmer for 25-30 mins until the carrots and lentils are soft. Add the lemon juice, then blend until smooth, adding a splash more water, if you like.
  2. Meanwhile, toast the remaining 1 tbsp cumin seeds in a dry frying pan for 1-2 mins until fragrant. Set aside.
  3. Spread the pesto over 4 slices of bread and top with the grated cheese. Sandwich with a second slice of bread. Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan; fry the toasties, in batches, for 3-4 mins each side, pressing down with a spatula, until toasted and the cheese has melted. Cut into quarters.
  4. Ladle the soup into bowls, scatter with the toasted cumin seeds and coriander, and serve alongside the toasties.
    • Freezing and defrosting guidelines

      Freeze soup only. In order to enjoy optimum flavour and quality, frozen items are best used within 3 months of their freezing date. For more tips on freezing and defrosting food, read our article Love Your Freezer.

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