I am so excited to share with you a very Interesting and delicious Soup with an Exotic spice Saffron. It has all the goodness of quinoa, lentils and veggies. Insanely Delicious and wholesome Saffron Lentil Quinoa Soup. A complete nutritious meal in itself. A flavorful soup that you should not miss. Do try it and you won’t be disappointed ,I bet.
What is the 266th Foodiemonday Bloghop Theme?
This week our hostess is Mayuri Patel who is an wonderful person and an experienced blogger. The theme suggested by her is #ExoticSaffron She blog at Mayuris-Jinkoni. Her blog is an encyclopedia for beginners and also for people who want to learn new recipes. She is a fantastic baker too. I have many recipes bookmarked from her blog .I want to try her Lavender and Fennel Herbal Tea and her Gujarati Thali. When the themes were suggested I opted for this theme as I wanted to share this delicious Saffron Lentil Quinoa Soup.
Some Facts about Saffron:
Most Exotic and Expensive Spice
Rich in Anti-Oxidents
Safe and easy to add to your diet
Acts as mood Booster and has been known to reduce PMS
It is know to have many Health Benefits
It takes 75,000 saffron flowers to make one pound of saffron spice. Hence it is very expensive.
Acts a natural food colour
Ingredients used in Saffron Lentil Quinoa Soup:
Saffron An exotic spice which adds a nice flavor and color to the soup
Lentils Use of lentils adds a nice taste and texture to the soup. Lentil are rich in protein.
Quinoa A good substitute for Rice.Rich in fiber and Gluten free
Bottle Gourd It is one of the versatile veggies and nutritious vegetable too.
Potato A root vegetable that is starchy.
Fresh Coriander Adds a nice aroma to the dish
Coarse Black Pepper Powder Adds a nice flavor and punch to the soup
Salt to taste
Roasted Garlic & Almonds Adds a nice flavor and crunch to the soup
Olive Oil to roast garlic and almond slices for garnish
Vegetable Broth Home made vegetable broth with veg peels enhances the taste of the soup compared to plain water.
Rice Vinegar I have used vinegar. You can use Lemon juice as well instead of Vinegar.
Recipe for Saffron Lentil Quinoa Soup:
Serves 1 Person
Ingredients:
1 Cup of Boiled Lentils / Dal ( I have used Toor dal and Moong dal in equal Quantities)
1/4 Bottle gourd peeled and cubed
1/2 Potato peeled and cubed
1 Tbsp Quinoa Cooked as per Instructions on the packet
Salt to Taste
A Generous pinch of Saffron soaked in Vegetable broth
1/4 Tsp Coarse Black pepper Powder
1 Cup Vegetable Broth
3 Almonds Chopped Lengthwise
1 Tsp Olive Oil
2 Garlic Pods Chopped Lengthwise
1/4 Tsp Dried Curry leaves Powder
1 Tsp Fresh Coriander finely chopped
1 Tsp Rice Vinegar
Method:
Pressure Cook Toor dal , Moogdal , Cubed Potatoes and Chopped Bottle gourd upto 2 Whistles. Allow the pressure to release naturally. Keep it aside.
Soak saffron in a small cup with vegetable broth for about 10 mins.
Cook the quinoa in required vegetable broth as per instructions on the packet. Keep it aside.
Remove the potatoes from the cooker. Mash the dals and bottlegourd.
Take a wide bottom pan. Add Mashed dals , Bottle gourd mix and cooked Quinoa,Saffron soaked broth.
Mix well and add the balance vegetable broth to adjust the consistency of the soup as per your liking.
Add salt ,pepper powder, freshly chopped coriander and curry leaves powder and vinegar. Allow it to simmer on medium flame for about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.
In a small pan add olive oil, Roast the chopped garlic and almonds until they are nice and crisp.
Transfer the soup to a bowl. Garnish with Roasted garlic and almonds.
Loved the way you have added saffron to this healthy soup..except biryani I haven’t added saffron to any savory dish but seeing your soup I am now tempted to try this .
Soup looks super healthy comforting and delicious. Loved the use of saffron in the soup. Never tasted soup with saffron. It must be more flavorful. I will try it sometime.
Such a wonderful idea to use saffron in a soup. Never don’t that before, however definitely want to try. Must be so flavorful. Such a healthy and filling soup.
Wow what a interesting and healthy recipe using saffron di. Such a tasty and nutritious soup. The way fried garlic and almonds floating on soup looks very inviting di. Loved the combination of saffron, veggies and lentils you used to prepare this soup di.
I loved loved loved this soup with almonds, garlic and the royal saffron.. what a wonderful and nutritious filling light meal to have it on cold and chilly winters..
I make quinoa soup with lentils and veggies and we love it. I like how you have used saffron to flavor the soup. Looks absolutely delectable !
Loved the way you have added saffron to this healthy soup..except biryani I haven’t added saffron to any savory dish but seeing your soup I am now tempted to try this .
Soup looks super healthy comforting and delicious. Loved the use of saffron in the soup. Never tasted soup with saffron. It must be more flavorful. I will try it sometime.
Such a wonderful idea to use saffron in a soup. Never don’t that before, however definitely want to try. Must be so flavorful. Such a healthy and filling soup.
Wow, what a unique recipe! I totally love the colour of the soup, and the ingredients you have used here. Must be so filling, delicious and wholesome!
Wow what a interesting and healthy recipe using saffron di. Such a tasty and nutritious soup. The way fried garlic and almonds floating on soup looks very inviting di. Loved the combination of saffron, veggies and lentils you used to prepare this soup di.
masterchef style soup – what a lovely medley of ingredients coming together in a delicious soup 🙂
I loved loved loved this soup with almonds, garlic and the royal saffron.. what a wonderful and nutritious filling light meal to have it on cold and chilly winters..
ahaaa!!! saffron touch in a soup that too using quinoa.
simply love to make soon with almonds, garlic and rest others !
Wow! this soup must have been so flavourful and I would have never thought of adding saffron. Definitely, a must-try and serve recipe. Love it.