Week 5, Wednesday - Carrot, Coriander and Lentil Soup and Fruit Ice Lollies

We got so many carrots from FareShare London on Tuesday, I really couldn't think how to use them all up!  A different mix of children in the kitchen today, it was fun and they never cease to amaze me... the banter, the fun they have, the chit chat, the discussions, they all happen between the children.  It's great to see them getting to know each other better.  I bought a big bag of lentils on my way in as I was thinking about making a dhal, but we ended up deciding to make soup.

Carrot, Coriander and Lentil Soup

a little vegetable oil

1 onion - chopped roughly

half a bulb of garlic - chopped roughly

7 carrots - chopped roughly

2 punnets of cherry tomatoes

6 cups water

6 tablespoons of vegetable stock/3 cubes

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp garlic granules

2 cups red lentils

a big handful of fresh coriander

salt to taste

Fry onions and garlic in the oil for a few minutes and then add the carrots, continuing to fry for a couple more minutes.  Add the spices and saute for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly.  

Add the water and vegetable stock to the mix and then pour in the tomatoes.  Finally add the lentils and coriander and simmer for half an hour or so. 

After 30 minutes, we whizzed it in the food processor, creating a smooth and delicious soup. 

We also got a chilli from the garden and chopped it up, so that people could add it to their soup if they wanted to.  The tomato in the photo is the first red tomato from our own garden..  We chopped into quarters and the kids in the kitchen tried it.  

We also made ice lollies which will be ready for next week.  The delivery also contained a tray of tinned fruit in juice or syrup, so we spooned them into ice lolly molds - 50 of them!  A good way to have some fruit on a hot day.  The only issue with these is the lack of space in the freezer - they will all fit - eventually, I am sure!  

Just before home time, I went out into the garden.  There were 2 boys having a look at the different plants.  I said, "Have you seen the chillies?"  "No, where?" They replied.  I showed them the chillies and the tomato plants.  They noticed a couple more red tomatoes.  They wanted to try them, so we went into the kitchen and they chopped them up and had a try - a really good effort on the part of those boys: one of them said, "I usually hate tomatoes, but this tastes nice."