^[1]This is my favorite go-to soup. It is classic in preparation, and once the base of the mirepoix and broth is done, you can then make the soup in any direction by choosing another bean or lentil, or by choosing other vegetables. The nuts and lentils make this a protein and vitamin-packed soup. Better than chicken soup for those “chicken soup times.” Photographs by Linda Long from Virgin Vegan The Meatless Guide to Pleasing Your Palate ^[2] by Linda Long, reprint permission by Gibbs Smith Publisher, 2013.

Serves: 6

• 1 ⁄ 2 cup cashews, raw
• 8 cups water
• 3 cubes of Vegetable bouillon (Rapunzel with Herbs and Sea Salt is one option)
• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 or 2 bay leaves
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 4 stalks celery, cut in half lengthwise and sliced
• 1 large, medium onion, diced
• 2 cups potatoes, white or sweet, 1 ⁄ 2-inch cubes*
• 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen, optional

Add cashews to a blender, cover with hot tap water to about a 1 ⁄ 2 inch above the nuts and allow to soak while making the soup. Do not blend yet.

In a large saucepan, add water and bouillon cubes and bring to a boil. Place lentils in a sieve and run cool water to rinse and then add to pot. Allow water to boil again, stirring lentils briefly. Add the bay leaf, carrots, celery, onion, potatoes, and corn, if using. Turn heat to soft boil, uncovered, and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Remove bay leaf.

Turn blender on high and blend cashews long enough to be completely creamy and super smooth. If too thick, add a bit more water. Add to soup as a last step, creating a hearty base. If not using nuts for some reason, blend 2 ladles of soup instead to create a more sturdy broth to finish.

Note: All measures can be loosely followed, use more or less to taste.

*When using sweet potatoes, it is best to use raw peanuts instead of cashews. They just go together better and is more like a soup you might have in Africa.

• Here are more recipes for Lentils and Peas. ^[3]
• Try some of VegKitchen’s other Soulful Soups. ^[4]