This fabulous tasting and healthy soup is adapted from Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn's "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease". I made this soup for a pot luck gathering for our Green Nosh group, and folks raved. If you haven't read Dr. Esselstyn's book, put it at the top of your list. His research, message and recipes are life saving!


Makes 6 servings.

1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
4 celery ribs, chopped (about 1 cup)
water or veggie broth for sauteing
1 bay leaf
2 T fresh ginger, chopped
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
6 cups vegetable broth, low-sodium
4 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 cup red lentils
1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
2 T lemon juice
1 bunch cilantro, optional

Stir fry onion, garlic, and celery in water or broth in a large soup pot until tender.
Add the bay leaf, fresh ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, veggie broth, tomatoes, lentils and chickpeas.
Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes until lentils are tender.
Right before serving, add the cilantro (optional) and the lemon juice.
This soup is high in fiber, protein, and loaded with healthy immune boosting foods and cancer fighting compounds.
Note: I'm finding that the one herb that many folks do not like is cilantro. A suggestion would be to have a bowl of chopped cilantro on the side for cilantro afficiandos to add to their soup.