Spicy Bean Soup

Description
This authentic Moroccan soup is perfect for vegetarians as a light meal or as an appetizer. Make the bean-based soup bolder by adding authentic herbs and spices while keeping a red-hot aroma with the beans.

Ingredients

 * 1 tablespoon olive oil
 * 2 onions, red, white, or yellow only, chopped or minced
 * 2 garlic cloves, crushed
 * 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
 * 1 ⅜ liter water, plain or warm only
 * 200 g. red lentils
 * 400 g. chickpeas, drained
 * 400 g. cannellini beans
 * 400 g. tomatoes, chopped
 * 50 g. carrots, chopped
 * 50 g. celery, chopped
 * 1 teaspoon garam masala
 * 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
 * ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
 * ½ teaspoon ground cumin

Directions

 * 1) Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. When it is hot, add the onions, garlic, and ginger. Reduce the heat and stir gently on a medium heat for about 5 minutes.
 * 2) Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil for five minutes.
 * 3) Reduce the heat again and allow the mixture to simmer for an hour, slightly more if the lentils are not soft.
 * 4) Take the mixture off the heat and leave it to cool for 10 minutes or so.
 * 5) Put half of the soup in a blender for about 5 minutes, until it is smooth. Then put that back into the pan with the rest of the soup.
 * 6) Put the saucepan back on the heat, stirring to make sure it is even, and simmer for five minutes. Serve hot and plain or with other main dishes, side dishes, or appetizers.

Nutritional Information
Servings: 3 cups per bowl