Spiced carrot & lentil soup

A delicious, spicy blend packed full of iron and low in fat to boot. It's ready in under half an hour, or can be made in a slow cooker

Ingredients

• 2 tsp cumin seeds
• pinch chilli flakes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 600g carrots, washed and coarsely grated (no need to peel)
• 140g split red lentils
• 1l hot vegetable stock (from a cube is fine)
• 125ml milk (to make it dairy-free, see 'try' below)
• plain yogurt and naan bread, to serve

Directions

1. STEP 1
2. Heat a large saucepan and dry-fry 2 tsp cumin seeds and a pinch of chilli flakes for 1 min, or until they start to jump around the pan and release their aromas.
3. STEP 2
4. Scoop out about half with a spoon and set aside. Add 2 tbsp olive oil, 600g coarsely grated carrots, 140g split red lentils, 1l hot vegetable stock and 125ml milk to the pan and bring to the boil.
5. STEP 3
6. Simmer for 15 mins until the lentils have swollen and softened.
7. STEP 4
8. Whizz the soup with a stick blender or in a food processor until smooth (or leave it chunky if you prefer).
9. STEP 5
10. Season to taste and finish with a dollop of plain yogurt and a sprinkling of the reserved toasted spices. Serve with warmed naan breads.