Carrot, Corriander and Split Pea Soup

Earthy and really satisfying, this soup takes a while to cook, but not long to actually prepare. You can put it on a leave it to simmer while you get on with anything else. It has a fair amount of spice, but is by no means hot, just nice and aromatic.

Ingredients:

Oil or low fat cooking spray

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

450g carrots, peeled and chopped

150g yellow split peas, rinsed and drained

Salt and pepper

2 tsp ground corriander

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp paprika

1 litre vegetable stock

fresh corriander to serve

To make:

1) Spray the cooking spray into a pot and add onion. Cook 2 minutes and add garlic. Cook a further minute and add carrots. Cook 4 minutes, stirring.

2) Add in the split peas and spices and mix together. Pour in the stock, then bring soup to the boil, turn down and simmer.

3) Cook for about 25 minutes until split peas are soft. Add to blender and puree.

4) Serve topped with corriander and paprika.

Serves 3.