Lentils are part of the everyday Bengali meal. But dal need not only be a thin dish with rice: you can also make a tasty and nutritious chicken and lentil soup. Made with chicken and lentils, the soup contains protein and several other essential nutrients, and works as a light meal.

Chicken and lentils both help keep you full, so a bowl of this soup keeps hunger away for a while and fits easily into a diet. It needs few ingredients, can be made at home in a short time, and its flavour should please young and old alike.

First wash the lentils well and soak them in water for a while. Then heat oil or butter in a pan and lightly fry chopped onion, garlic and ginger.

Add pieces or minced chicken and stir well for a few minutes. Then add chopped tomato, salt and all the ground spices and cook the meat down well. Add a little water, cover and cook on a low flame for about 30 minutes until the meat softens.

When the meat is partly cooked, add the soaked lentils and your choice of chopped vegetables. Add enough water and mix everything well. Cover and cook on a medium flame for another 20 to 25 minutes. When the lentils and meat are fully cooked, the soup is almost ready.

Finally add green chillies and boil for a few more minutes. Sprinkle a little ground black pepper on top before turning off the heat. You can add a few drops of lemon juice when serving. Pour the hot chicken and lentil soup into bowls and serve.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.