Authors: Cobaia Kitchen, Perplexity Deep Research, GPT-4.5
Photos: Cobaia Kitchen, FLUX.1, DALL-E 3
This delightful yellow lentil soup recipe was born from a playful culinary challenge: create a tasty, plant-based dinner using only specific ingredients listed in a file named “Ingredients.txt,” while keeping preparation under 15 minutes and the carbon footprint impressively low. To tackle this quirky prompt, I turned to Perplexity Deep Research, an advanced AI-powered research tool capable of autonomously performing extensive searches, analyzing hundreds of sources, and synthesizing findings into structured reports within minutes—think of it as your personal digital sous-chef who never complains about chopping onions. After inputting the ingredient constraints and dietary preferences into Perplexity Deep Research, it swiftly whipped up a nourishing yet simple soup, complete with precise nutritional values and environmental impact calculations. And as an extra treat, there’s a captivating little story waiting below the recipe—perfect for reading while your soup bubbles away on the stove.
Please read the review before cooking!
Creamy Yellow Lentil Soup with Smoked Paprika and Coconut Milk
Equipment
- 1 immersion blender
Instructions
- Dice 1 medium onion (≈150g)
- Mince 2 garlic cloves
- Slice 2 carrots (≈100g) into half-moons
Measure spices:
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp turmeric
Cooking Process (25 minutes active time)
- Sauté aromatics: In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Cook onions 3 minutes until translucent, then add garlic and carrots. Sauté 2 minutes more.
- Toast spices: Stir in measured spices and cook 1 minute until fragrant, awakening essential oils.
- Simmer lentils: Add ¾ cup yellow lentils (150g), rinsed. Pour in 3 cups vegetable broth (720ml) and bring to boil. Reduce heat, simmer uncovered 20 minutes until lentils soften
- Finish with coconut: Stir in ½ cup canned coconut milk (120ml). For creamier texture, blend half the soup using an immersion blender
Notes
Serving suggestion:
A glass of Pinot Grigio would make an excellent companion to this lentil soup. This light, crisp white wine offers just enough acidity to cut through the coconut milk’s creaminess while complementing the soup’s aromatic spices. For those preferring an alcohol-free option, a ginger-lime infused sparkling water would perfectly complement the soup’s flavor profileAllergens:
- Check the ingredients of your vegetable broth
Non-vegan alternative:
You can use ghee instead of olive oil, but consider that its carbon footprint is 10 times higher than that of olive oil.Emission Hotspots:
- Shop to home transportation, if a combustion car is used
Sustainability tips:
- Walk or bike to the supermarket and farmer’s market
- Buy organic ingredients to reduce chemical intake and enhance biodiversity
- Give the carrot greens and ends to your guinea pigs 🐹
- Use a rice cooker to save energy, if you have one with soup function (like the Reishunger Rice cooker)
- Transform any leftover soup into completely new meals by incorporating it into other dishes. The coconut lentil soup works beautifully as a sauce over rice or as a base for grain bowls the next day
- Consider batch cooking double portions of this soup since lentil dishes typically freeze exceptionally well. Portion the extras into individual containers for quick future meals, reducing the temptation to order takeout (with its associated packaging waste)
- When storing leftovers, use transparent containers placed at eye level in your refrigerator as a visual reminder to consume them before they spoil
- Freeze leftover coconut milk in ice cube trays for future recipes.
Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint of one serving. Read here how we calculate the carbon footprint.
Featured Story
Arjun and the Curious Case of the Vanishing Lentil Soup
In a tiny village nestled among coconut palms in rural Southern India, six-year-old Arjun was famous—not for cricket skills or kite-flying prowess—but for his uncanny ability to whip up dishes that made grown-ups weep with joy (and occasionally envy). Villagers whispered that Arjun had once convinced a stubborn onion to dice itself out of sheer respect, and his mother often joked that he had learned spice ratios before he could tie his shoelaces. But one evening, Arjun faced an unprecedented culinary mystery: every pot of his signature yellow lentil soup vanished mysteriously from the stove before dinner. After careful investigation (and a stern interrogation of the family goat), Arjun discovered the culprit was none other than his grandfather, who sheepishly confessed he couldn’t resist sneaking bowlfuls during his afternoon naps.
Determined to outsmart his mischievous elder, Arjun concocted a clever plan—he added an extra pinch of smoked paprika, knowing its irresistible aroma would lure his grandfather straight into a carefully laid trap. Sure enough, when Grandpa tiptoed into the kitchen that afternoon, he found himself face-to-face with half the village eagerly awaiting “Arjun’s Magical Soup Hour.” With a sigh, Grandpa admitted defeat and joined the queue, bowl in hand. From that day forward, villagers affectionately dubbed Arjun’s creation “Grandpa’s Temptation,” and it became tradition to serve the soup openly—no sneaking required.
Culinary Reality Check
When Arjun’s famous lentil soup hit our table, we quickly understood why Grandpa risked his reputation (and afternoon naps) to sneak extra bowlfuls. The spice blend is beautifully balanced, though the dish practically begs for a fluffy piece of naan bread—something neutral to mop up every last golden drop.
Taste
Pleasantly aromatic and flavorful; pairs especially well with naan bread or another neutral side to balance richness.
Portion Size
Suitable for two people watching their waistlines; adding naan bread makes it comfortably filling.
Combination
Ingredients are thoughtfully combined, resulting in a harmonious and balanced flavor profile.
Texture
Appropriately creamy yet rustic, exactly as expected from a traditional lentil soup.
Spices
Nicely balanced spice blend; smoked paprika adds subtle depth without overpowering other flavors.
Timing
Preparation and cooking times provided in the recipe are accurate (when rounded to the nearest 5) and realistic.
Processing
Instructions are clear, easy to follow, and reliably produce the intended result.
Completeness
Recipe is detailed and thorough, though a clearly formatted list of ingredients at the beginning would improve usability.
Environment
Environmentally friendly meal choice due to plant-based ingredients and low carbon footprint; aligns well with sustainability goals such as the Paris Agreement (1.5°C).
Health
Good source of plant-based protein, fiber, and iron; however, coconut milk contributes somewhat high levels of saturated fat and calories.
Tips for Redemption
- Consider serving with naan bread for optimal balance
- Adding fresh lemon juice or chili flakes can provide a refreshing twist.
With these adjustments, the carbon footprint comes to 0.35 kgCO₂e per serving – a modest 15% of your daily food carbon budget. Enjoying delicious, sustainable meals like this one shows that eating well and caring for the planet can easily go hand in hand.
