Join KindChef Carol to make a Spicy (or non-spicy) Miso Lentil Soup (based on this recipe from the New York Times.) 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.
(Spicy) Miso Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups green or brown lentils
- 3 cups long-grain white rice (or orzo or brown rice)
- Salt (to taste, scaled up as needed during cooking)
- 4 (5-ounce) packages fresh baby spinach (about 24 cups, not packed)
- 10 tablespoons white miso
- 4 inches fresh ginger, unpeeled and thinly sliced
- 4 to 8 serrano or jalapeño chiles, destemmed and halved (depending on heat preference)
- 4 limes, halved
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil, plus more for serving
- 16 ounces (1 pound) shiitake mushrooms, destemmed and thinly sliced
- 24 cups water
Instructions
- In a medium or large pot, saute the mushrooms in oil with 1/4 teaspoon salt over medium heat ntil the mushrooms are browned, 7 to 9 minutes. Set aside.
- In the same pot, bring 24 cups of water, the lentils, rice and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil over high. Reduce heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender but not mushy and the rice is falling apart, 15 to 20 minutes.
- While the soup is simmering, in a blender, combine 1 cup water, the spinach, miso, ginger, four serrano or jalapeño chiles and the juice from two limes. Blend until smooth. Because the mixture will be thinned by the soup, it should be slightly too spicy; blend in more serrano until it is. Set aside.
- When the lentils are ready, turn off the heat. Stir in the blended greens. (Mixture will thicken as it sits). Season to taste with salt, then serve topped with the mushrooms, a squeeze of lime and a few drops of sesame oil.
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, “(Spicy) Miso 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
