Limes make everything brighter (like this soup). Ripe limes hanging on the tree really cheer the winter garden up. You gotta grow a lime!
If you live somewhere with cold winters and frosty springs then choose a Tahitian lime. Plant it once frosts are over, and in a frost free spot (close to your house) cause limes are the most tender citrus of all. Lots of sun, lots of shelter, lots of rotten manure = lots of limes.
Pick a fresh lime, uproot a heap of coriander, grab some bottled tomatoes and make this soul soothing, brightly flavoured tomato soup.
1cup red lentils
800g bottled or canned tomatoes
2 – 3cups stock
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lime
Pinch of chilli flakes or sliced fresh chilli
Coriander (as much or as little as you love)
Slowly cook the onions in some oil until your patience runs out. Make gooey your maximum and transparent your minimum.
Add the garlic and cook for a sec, then add the lentils, tomatoes, chilli and 2cups of stock. Cover with a lid and cook gently for 40 minutes. Give a good stir every now and then because the lentils will be doing their best to stick to the bottom. Add more stock/ water as needed.
Once the lentils are soft, season and add coriander and lime juice. Whizz together.
Serve alongside a bowl of coriander, chilli (fresh, sauce or flakes), and wedges of lime for those (like me) who always want more.
