Cashew Creamy Lentil Soup

Creamy Lentil SoupYou don’t need to say it. I’ll say it for you: my, but that’s a homely soup. Homely, yes, but delicious.

Now maybe this is knowledge held by every vegan out there except for me. I’ve always felt a little wasteful tossing out the seitan cooking water. It smells pretty good! Certainly it could be put to good employ somewhere. Like in soup. After my last batch of seitan, I decided to hang on to the broth – and I used it in this soup. I have to say, it really did something special. If you haven’t tried using all of that good seitan broth before, I’d suggest giving it a whirl.

One year ago today: A Peek Into the Man-cave (a.k.a. The Greenhouse)
One year and one day ago: German Chocolate Bundt Cake

Cashew Creamy Lentil Soup
Serves 4

1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3-4 cups vegetable broth (or seitan cooking broth)
1-2 tbsp. Bragg Liquid Aminos
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1 cup dried brown lentils
2 carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 cup cashew cream (or nut milk)
2 tbsp. dry sherry
salt and ground black pepper, to taste

In a large saucepan, saute the onions in the Bragg Liquid Aminos for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, sweet potatoes, carrots and celery and sauté for another 5 or so minutes. Then add the lentils and broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about an hour, or until the vegetables are very soft.

Using a stick blender or food processor, or blender, puree the soup until it’s mostly smooth. Return to the pan, stir in the cashew cream (or nut milk) and the sherry. When soup is thoroughly heated (do not allow to boil), it’s ready to serve. Garnish with something green, if desired.

Creamy Lentil Soup

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71 thoughts on “Cashew Creamy Lentil Soup

  1. sweetveg says:

    Yum! I don’t think this soup looks homely at all. I think it looks and sounds delicious! I love that you are using the seitan broth.

  2. The Healthy Flavor says:

    Gosh that looks good! I eat lentil soup all the time. I’ve never had seitan before though. This looks really creamy and I love that you added the avocado. I put avocado on my soups, chili, salad….I cant get enough!

  3. tearoomdelights says:

    That soup is right up my street, hearty and delicious. I’ve never thought of putting chopped avocado on top of soup before, but it looks lovely. I haven’t had seitan either, but this reminds me that my mum always used to save the water vegetables had been cooked in for soup broth.

  4. Cauldrons and Cupcakes says:

    I’m a big saver of vegetable cooking water for broths. Makes soups extra-delicious and nutritious. I’ve never done the avo on top either, but I’m gonna! This one looks beautiful :D xx

  5. alexanderwillowharvey says:

    I love using the broth from canned seitan mmmm! This soup looks delightful, AND I have all the ingredients, a must make.

    • An Unrefined Vegan says:

      Wait – canned seitan? Have never seen that! Wonder if we have it in the States…

      • alexanderwillowharvey says:

        If there’s an Asian food mart you might be able to find it, it not maybe online. Its usually called mock duck or gluten pieces in gravy, or at least has been when ive seen it in Asian food marts.Its seriously tasty!

  6. The Vegan Green says:

    Looks great! What’s the bread on the plate next to the soup?

  7. Ally says:

    Yum! Looks scrumptious.
    Like Brandi, I put avocado on just about everything!

  8. Lablasco says:

    Beautiful shot! Totally love your idea, I can’t live without lentils and looking for new recipes. Saving it to Pinterest and will cook this soon :)

  9. narf77 says:

    Annie this looks AMAZING! As someone who has been welded to Somer’s plan for almost a month I think I might have to include this gorgeous looking soup in the near future…its gorgeous, it’s healthy, it promises unctuous heady delights and it’s not all that far removed from the plan so I am going to make some and enjoy it this Sunday :) . Cheers for a magnificent looking treat :)

    • An Unrefined Vegan says:

      I’ll bet you could modify it enough to squeak it into Somer’s plan. BTW, good on you! I’m back on a modified version of the challenge because I just spent about a week on the road and boy, did my body need a detox!!

      • narf77 says:

        That challenge has changed my life! I went from “vegan in a rut” living on steamed potatoes and a few veg with no energy but decidedly happy in my groove to vegan with amazing energy, tonnes of possibilities and weight falling off me without any effort at all. I haven’t been this weight in 10 years and after almost 40 years of being on one or other diet (I started early when you get thrown out of ballet class at 6 years old for not being the “image” that the ballet school wants to portray, and your mum suddenly starts noticing what you eat you are on a path to eating disorders BIGTIME!)…this challenge has taken food out of my peripherals. I just eat “something” from the list and whenever I am hungry I head out to the veggie garden and pick a cucumber or a handful of tomatoes and just eat them. No more measuring, weighing (or giving up and living off potatoes )… now I have structure and nutrition in bucketloads and this plan is not only detoxing me, but is giving me a new lease on life :)

      • An Unrefined Vegan says:

        Get out!! Woohooooo! I’m dancing with happiness for you !

      • narf77 says:

        Me too Annie…dancing like there is no tomorrow . Somer rocks! :)

  10. inkspeare says:

    This must be delicious :)

  11. Gabby @ the veggie nook says:

    Oh wow I bet the cashew cream makes this out of this world!!

    • An Unrefined Vegan says:

      The cashew cream craziness continues (wow, check out that alliteration!)!

      • Gabby @ the veggie nook says:

        Oh man, seriously impressive. I just made a lovely dessert with cashew cream and planning on some kale chips soon- I’ll be joining in the madness :)

  12. JL says:

    I think it looks delicious!

  13. mycookinglifebypatty says:

    I don’t waste my seitan broth either, Anne. Your soup sounds nice and rich for a cold winter evening. And I like how Ms. Soup has some nice green bling to dress her up!

  14. Holly @ My Plant-Based Family says:

    We have never had seitan either, my son has a wheat allergy, but everything else in the soup sounds wonderful. I’ve thought about cooking lentils and sweet potatoes together but I haven’t tried it yet. Thanks for another great recipe!

  15. Nikki Eat To The Beet says:

    I was thinking the same thing as Gabby. The cashew cream is a great addition.

  16. Brittany says:

    I must embarrassingly admit I have never made my own seitan! So I have no idea what the water is like, BUT I do feel bad tossing waster used from steaming veggies. Especially when the water is bright green! I feel like there are lots of tiny nutrients swimming in that green water! Homely or not.. this soup looks delicious.

    • An Unrefined Vegan says:

      You gotta make seitan, girl! You will feel like the Mistress of the Universe! And the broth is all kinda salty and murky. Good stuff.

  17. Somer says:

    Sorry, but this is hardly homely. It looks freaking delicious! I would love a bowl of that today! I think I have a bit of an obsession with lentils

    • An Unrefined Vegan says:

      Funny – I ended up making lentil soup for lunch today. Totally different (went “Italian-style”) but equally good. LOVE lentils.

  18. veganperks says:

    I will definitely be making this! It looks delish! Thanks Annie!

  19. Barb@ThatWasVegan? says:

    Great use of seitan broth! I steam mine though, so I’ll miss out on that aspect, but I could totally still make this soup!

  20. GiRRL_Earth says:

    Um, I’ve never attempted to make my own seitan and the recipe I have from Candle Cafe looks daunting. Do you have a recipe I may try?

  21. sparkleypinklemons says:

    I have been wanting to make something with cashews lately, perhaps this is just the thing!

  22. coconutandberries says:

    This looks so good right now. The brilliance of cashew cream shines once again! And pairing the soup with cornbread and avocado, that is my idea of a perfect meal :)

  23. the bear and the blackberry says:

    Super hearty and delicious! I love the chopped cilantro and avocado to top it off!

  24. fab. vegan recipe of the day: ‘Cashew creamy lentil soup’ « world news for life says:

    [...] Read the recipe, view images and add your comment online at http://www.anunrefinedvegan.com/2013/02/07/creamy-lentil-soup/ [...]

  25. Becky Striepe says:

    This looks so hearty and delicious! I love the addition of the sweet potato, too!

  26. Shira says:

    Homely – delicious – simple – beautiful. The very best looking soup I’ve seen in a while – just perfect Annie!

  27. annesturetucker says:

    Gorgeous soup Annie – I could scoop it up right :-) Love the avocado and cilantro on top. Yum!

  28. Manu says:

    Wow I would love to have that for lunch right now! It looks awesome and the avocado is a great touch!! Thanks for sharing!

  29. Sophie33 says:

    I am a big fan of lentil soup! This soup is so nourishing & tasty looking too! I love the cashew cream & the added shrry in here: great flavourings! :) Yummm!

  30. Kristy says:

    I don’t know what you’re talking about with the homeliness- this soup looks so delicious and inviting!

  31. Little Sis says:

    Did somebody say LENTILS?! Looks divine and I love the seitan broth tip. Makes perfect sense. Soon I’m going to have a whole new crop of little containers of weird frozen broth to use – YAY! And seriously, what isn’t better with avocado?

  32. Richa says:

    i dont make seitan enough at home.. this is great idea.. and love the sweet potato in the ceamy soup too!

  33. Herbivore Triathlete says:

    Homely soups are always the most delicious in my experience. I love avocados on everything too!

  34. nicole @ live eat smile repeat says:

    This looks great! Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to reading more of your posts!

  35. Lou says:

    This is brilliant – ticks all the boxes for me (homely soups are the best) – especially as you made use of the seitan water – GREAT idea. I used to run an organic soup cafe, and let me tell you, it was ALWAYS the homely, rustic soups that were most popular by far!

  36. biggsis says:

    Perfect! I’m making your smoky chickpea stew with cashew cream tomorrow and last time I made it I had extra cashew cream…. which will make this delicious sounding soup even faster to make. I do love happy coincidences like that! My family ADORES the smoky chickpea stew…. and quite a few of your other recipes as well. You rock.

  37. Márcia Gonçalves says:

    Humm, my kind of soup!
    I love lentil soup, and that cashew cream must be a great addiction to it! Also, in Portugal we don’t usually serve soups with avocado chunks, but I like the idea, sounds refreshing. :)

  38. Cindy says:

    Oh, you had me at lentils :D Your soup looks so delicious.

  39. veganperks says:

    Annie! I finally made this recipe! Let me tell you is is absolutely amazing! By far the best lentil soup I have ever had!- And I have had lots. :-) Thank you so much for the wonderful recipe! Keep up the good work! :-)

  40. ellalunda says:

    And I love waste free recipes! I think I’m falling in love.

  41. amanda rock says:

    YOU ARE SO SMART! I can’t wait to try this! Finding a soup my husband and I both like is hard – but this seems perfect.

    • An Unrefined Vegan says:

      Hi Amanda! Hope the soup creates meal-time harmony for you ! Thanks for visiting – I’ll be checking on your site regularly. Planning a trip back to SLC in the spring.

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