Whip up a warming and tasty lemony lentil soup

This quickly prepared soup, with its sunny bite of lemon, is perfect for warming up on cold days. So if it's chilly outside, give this recipe a try and get ready to enjoy some savory slurping.

This recipe takes 10 minutes to prepare, 30 minutes to cook, and serves 4. Here's what you'll need:

• 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 250 g (9 oz) onions, coarsely chopped
• 250 g (9 oz) red lentils, rinsed and drained
• 1.2 L (5 cups) chicken or vegetable stock
• 5 ml (1 tsp) ground coriander
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp) ground cumin
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 4 wafer-thin slices of lemon
• Salt and black pepper to taste

1. Heat the oil in a heavy-based pot. Add the garlic and onions and cook them over medium heat for six to seven minutes until they turn a rich brown colour, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
2. Add the lentils and cook for a further one to two minutes. Add the stock, raise the heat, and bring the soup to a boil. Then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the lentils are almost soft.
3. Place a nonstick frying pan over a high heat, add the coriander and cumin, and dry-fry them for one to two minutes until the aroma rises, then add them to the soup.
4. Raise the heat under the soup, add the lemon juice and lemon slices, and season to taste, then let it simmer for five minutes. Sprinkle the soup with a little black pepper and serve.

• Lentils are packed with cholesterol-lowering fibre, which helps prevent blood sugar from rising quickly after eating. They provide high amounts of seven minerals, B vitamins, and protein. They're also virtually fat free!
• Store dry lentils in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Stored properly, they can keep for up to 12 months. Before washing them, spread them on a light-coloured surface to check for any debris. After picking them over, rinse with cool water before using.

This soup is incredibly easy to make, but it tastes so good that your guests or family will think you were in the kitchen all day. This is definitely a soup that impresses.