Curry Split Pea Recipe

Throughout my health journey, I am always on the lookout for healthy foods that I actually like eating. Each time my arsenal of good tasting, healthy foods grows bigger, I like to share with others. Here is a recipe that tastes really good and is good for you. It's inspired by this Curry Split Pea Soup Recipe. One of my colleagues shared it with me. I have found that bold spices, used properly, really add a lot flavor without a lot of calories.

Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
8 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, sliced
2 white onions, sliced
6 stalks celery, sliced
10 cups water
2 tablespoons chicken base

2 cups dried split peas
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 teaspoons curry powder

Directions
In a large soup pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil, and stir in the lemon juice, garlic, carrots, onions, and celery. Cook and stir until the carrots become soft enough to break apart with a fork, about 20 minutes. Transfer the vegetables and their juices into a bowl, and refrigerate. Once slightly cool, place them into a blender, and blend until the mixture forms a smooth puree.

Pour the water into the soup pot, and stir in the chicken bouillon cubes until they dissolve. Pour in the vegetable puree, and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Stir in split peas, Italian seasoning, cumin, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and curry powder. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until the peas soften and break down into a thick soup, at least 45 minutes.

Here's the caloric breakdown:

With Split Peas

With Lentils

Some modifications that I have made:

• I have substituted lentils for split peas. This ups the calories some, but you're still around 100 calories per serving. This also drops the sodium. 
• I have upped the cayenne and curry a bit, since I like more spice.
• I am thinking of throwing in some spinach leaves.

Although I have been eating this as a fueling at lunch, I think adding cubed chicken would be good to make this my lean and green.

If you are interested in knowing more about the health program I am using, contact my Health Coach, Mark Blankespoor.