Red Lentil and Apricot Soup

From the Essential Best Foods Cookbook: Recipes Featuring the Healthiest and Most Delicious Foods. Add an Indian flourish by swirling in cumin seeds sizzled briefly in hot oil. You can use additional chopped cilantro if you prefer to keep it practically fat free.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  cup red lentil, picked over and rinsed
• 1  cup  finely chopped onion
• 1  cup  canned diced tomato
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped  dried apricot
• 2  teaspoons  grated fresh ginger
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 1  teaspoon garam masala
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1⁄3 cup cilantro leaf, chopped
•  salt
•  pepper
• 1  tablespoon canola oil
• 1  teaspoon whole cumin seed
• 1  teaspoon pomegranate molasses or 1  teaspoon pomegranate juice, concentrate

Directions

1. In a large deep saucepan, combine the lentils, onion, tomatoes with their liquid, apricots, ginger, garlic, garam masala and turmeric. Add four cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the lentils are soft, about 30 minutes. Mix in the cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Mix in the cumin and cook, stirring, until the oil is bubbling and the seeds start to darken in color, about two minutes. Immediately, off the heat, mix in the pomegranate molasses or juice concentrate. Take care, as it will splatter.
3. Divide the soup among four deep soup bowls. Drizzle on the cumin mixture and serve.