Spicy Red Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tsps dried basil leaves
• 1 1/2 tsps ground cardamom
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp curry powder
• 1 dash pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
• 1 dash salt
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups red onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups spinach, chopped
• 795 g can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups dry red lentils

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, and cook the onion until golden brown. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Mix in tomatoes, spinach, and lentils, and pour in water. Season with basil, cardamom, cumin, cayenne pepper, and curry powder.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until lentils are tender.
4. Transfer the soup to a blender (or use a hand held blender), and blend until smooth before serving.