Cumin and fiery serrano chile infuse this simple soup as it cooks, and a dollop of sour cream provides a refreshing foil for the spicy flavors. For less heat, seed the chile first or use a milder pepper, such as jalape?
This is a fantastic recipe even for non-lentil eaters. The honey gives it a sweet taste and it is perfect served with rice. It's great as a main dish but could be a side as well.
My friend's mother from the Ukraine taught me this recipe for the classic beet soup. It's as authentic as it gets. It can be served vegetarian style by omitting the sausage.
