Join KindChef Carol to make a Curried Red Lentil Soup (based on this recipe from Bon Appetit by Yotam Ottolenghi.)
After completing your soup, freeze and label it for donation, then drop off at one of our participating food assistance providers, with a person or family that is in your heart, or anyplace that you prefer, when convenient. Finally, report on where you shared your KindSoup and spread the word: Post a picture or two of you and your soups on social media with #DoKindWorks and tag us @DoKindWorks.
Curried Red Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 6 Tbsp. virgin coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 medium onions, finely chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 3 (2½”) pieces fresh ginger, peeled, finely grated
- 3 Tbsp. curry powder (such as S&B)
- ¾ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 1½ cup red lentils, dry
- 3 (14.5-oz.) cans crushed tomatoes or equivalent
- 1½ cup finely chopped cilantro, plus leaves with tender stems for serving
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 (13.5-oz.) cans unsweetened coconut milk, shaken well
- Lime wedges (for serving)
NOTE: 2-3 cans of 100% pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) can be added for extra nutrition and color value
Instructions
- Warm virgin coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil in a medium saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat. Cook onions, finely chopped, stirring often, until softened and golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Add garlic cloves, finely chopped, fresh ginger, peeled, finely grated, curry powder, and crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add lentils and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, finely chopped cilantro, a generous pinch of kosher salt, and 7½ cups water; season with freshly ground black pepper. Set aside ¼ cup liquid from each can unsweetened coconut milk for serving; add remaining coconut milk to saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until lentils are soft but not mushy, 20–25 minutes. Season soup with more salt and pepper if needed.
- To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Drizzle with reserved coconut milk and garnish with more cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
- Do Ahead: Soup (without toppings) can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; store in an airtight container and chill. Reheat over medium heat until simmering.
Health and Safety Information
In order to protect the the quality of our KindSoup program, we ask that volunteers conscientiously observe the following guidelines:
- Start with clean hands and wash again frequently as needed throughout the cooking process.
- Start with clean kitchen surfaces and utensils (antibacterial wipes do a great job).
- Keep longer hair tied back.
- Follow other common sense procedures, such as never returning a tasting spoon to the pot!
Thank you for maintaining a high cleanliness standard for our KindSoup donations!
How to Donate Your KindSoup
Seal containers with a tight lid and freeze. Label each container with: date prepared, your first name and last initial, “Curried Red Lentil Soup” and any relevant food allergy info. When convenient, drop containers of frozen soup off at one of the following participating food assistance providers, with a person or family that is in your heart, or a place that you prefer.
- 5171 Manning Place NW (in the Palisades neighborhood in DC). NOTE: Soups dropped here must be vegetarian or Halal only, please.
- Rainbow Community Development Center 12120 Tech Road, Silver Spring (this takes you to the rear parking lot and loading dock – there is usually a large RAINBOW truck parked here): Drop-off Monday-Friday 9am-2pm. NOTE: If you go during Rainbow’s food distributions on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 9am-noon, you may see a long line of cars – you can drive past the cars to drop off your KindSoup. If you go at other times and the garage or back door is not open, call or text Anna on her personal cell at 301-852-4184 (if she doesn’t answer, leave a message and she should get back within a few minutes, or try calling the Rainbow Pantry cellphone: 240-639-2293)
- So What Else 4924 Wyaconda Road, Rockville, 240-705-4345. (Look for the Dogtopia. Drive straight past Doptopia to get to our parking lot. The entrance will be on the right hand side as you pull into the parking lot. After you park, walk up to the glass door at the bottom of the black ramp, ring the doorbell, let the team know you’ve arrived to drop off KindSoups): Drop-off Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm and Saturdays 7am-12pm.
- Upcounty Consolidation Hub 12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown (supporting 1,000 families with food and other supports). Drop off Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays 8 am-4:30 pm.
- Embry Rucker Shelter 11975 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, 703-437-1975. Leave donations on the table around the back. Drop off anytime!
Here are some options for donating outside the DC area:
- NYC Community Fridges located throughout New York City.
- Bread and Roses 58 Newbury St., Lawrence, Mass., 978-681-8768. Drop off Mondays-Thursdays, 10 am-4 pm.
- The Bristol Lodge 27 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass., 781-893-0108. Drop off Mondays-Fridays, 9am-6pm.
- Community Refrigerators located in Los Angeles
See you in the KindSoup kitchen!
Learn more about this KindWorks program
