Step 1: Sauté the onion and garlic
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Step 2: Add the carrots and spices
- Stir in the chopped carrots, ground cumin, coriander, and turmeric (if using), and cook for another 3-4 minutes to allow the spices to release their flavors.
Step 3: Add the red lentils and stock
- Pour in the rinsed red lentils and vegetable stock, making sure the vegetables and lentils are fully submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are soft and the carrots are tender.
Step 4: Blend the soup
- Remove the pot from heat and use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. If using a regular blender, carefully blend the soup in batches, ensuring not to overfill the blender.
Step 5: Season and serve
- Once blended, taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the Jamie Oliver Carrot and Red Lentil Soup into bowls, garnish with fresh coriander if desired, and serve hot with your favorite side.