Orange Coriander Lentil Soup

This recipe for orange coriander lentil soup came just on time, during days when the weather finally changed and the first days of autumn said hi, with leaves on the streets and cool weather that needed a light sweater. 

I spent the beginning of the week doing necessary paperwork, and by that I might getting my ID and passport renewed so I can officially go on being someone; the cool weather was very welcome, since hot days running those errands make you miserable, and there´s a need to dress like the grown-up person I am,  loose the flip flops and be serious while filling forms and having my picture taken. 

Very hot days are over, and having lentil soup is a nice idea. This is our recipe chosen by the French Fridays with Dorie group, from the book Around my French Table.

My usual recipe with this nutritious legume is the lentil and chorizo stew, a hearty dish that I make every winter. In this case I had to keep reminding myself that it was a soup. And a soup means a good amount of broth. Because my soups tend to be thick, I´m certainly not a broth person.

The original recipe talks about an orange scented lentil soup. I don´t know if it´s me, but I really had trouble finding the orange flavor that justified the title. Pretty much like it happened with the orange pork tenderloin. So after an hour I added more orange peel, orange juice and more coriander. Then it changed for the better.

It starts like an italian sauce, with the vegetable trinity of celery (the best vegetable to flavor soups, even if you don´t like it, use it), carrots and onions being softened in oil and butter. Then add broth, lentils, orange peel and spices like ginger, peppercorns and coriander seeds.
Lately I discovered that orange and coriander, the seed whole or crushed in a mortar, are an amazing combination. Really great. So I added more coriander seeds, so the lentil soup would have more taste. Otherwise it was a bit bland.

It´s even better the second day as I suspected. I ended it with a dollop of whipped cream cheese and some salty bacon and it was perfect.

You can find the recipe for orange scented lentil soup here.

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