Lentil and Rice Soup with Butternut Squash and Spinach
A cozy lentil rice soup for those transitioning seasons with butternut squash, zucchini, red lentils, and brown rice. Vegan, simple, and perfect for chilly days.
Course Soup
Cuisine Vegan
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 40 minutesminutes
Total Time 50 minutesminutes
Ingredients
1tablespoonoilcoconut, sunflower, avocado
1medium yellow onion~100 grams
1small / 500 grams butternut squashcut into 3cm pieces
1medium / 300 grams zucchinicut into 2cm pieces
3clovesgarlicminced
1teaspooncumin
1teaspoonsea salt
1teaspoonpepper
½teaspoonpaprika
½teaspooncayenne pepperto taste
1tablespoonapple cider vinegar
400gramcan diced tomatoes
1litre / 4 cups vegetable stock
150grams/ 1 cup brown lentils*
100grams/ 1/2 cup brown rice*
70grams/ 3 cups baby spinach or other greens
Instructions
In a large pot, heat the oil over medium. Add the onion and sauté for a couple of minutes, or until softened and fragrant. Add the butternut squash and cook for another five minutes, stirring occasionally, to soften slightly. Stir in the zucchini and garlic, and cook for another another minute. Add the spices and cook for about 30 seconds, then pour in the apple cider vinegar and stir. Add the tomatoes and vegetable stock.
Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a rolling boil. Add the lentils and rice, reduce the heat to medium-low, then cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until the rice is cooked. Remove from the heat and stir in the baby spinach. Taste for seasoning and add more salt if needed. Serve hot and keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Notes
• Using soaked lentils and rice will help to reduce the cooking time significantly. To soak them, just cover them in plenty of water in a large bowl and let them sit overnight and rinse well before cooking. * I always use short grain brown rice, but it doesn't really matter. Other types of lentils will work well here too, but avoid very quick cooking varieties like split red lentils as they'll alter the texture too much.