In the early days of spring, when you are tired of heavy winter dishes but it is not warm enough yet to eat light salads as a meal, a nourishing vegetable soup is a great choice. You can have it as dinner one night (adding a tossed green salad with olive oil and apple cider vinegar, and some good bread, as a side dish), while the leftovers make for an easy lunch the next day.

I made this soup with yellow split peas and green lentils because I like the nutty flavor of the lentils. For a nicer colored soup (it will come out brown-ish…) use only the split peas. I like creamy soup, so I blend my soups with an immersion blender after they’re cooked. If you want to leave your soup chunky, just make sure you cut all the vegetables in bite-size pieces. As much as possible, use only organic ingredients to make this soup not only better for yourself, but also for the Earth.

This is what you’ll need:

• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped in small pieces
• 4 celery sticks, washed and chopped in pieces
• 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped in pieces
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into small cubes
• 1 cup dried yellow split peas (or 1 ½ cup if you use only peas), washed
• ½ cup dried green lentils, washed
• 32 fl. oz. / 1 liter vegetable broth  (+ a little extra)
• ½ cup coconut milk
• salt and pepper to taste

This is how you make it:

In a large pan with a thick bottom, simmer the onion on low heat until translucent. Be patient. If you brown the onion on high heat it will turn bitter. Add the celery, carrots and thyme; cook for about five minutes till vegetables are somewhat soft, stirring occasionally. Add the sweet potato, the split peas and lentils. Then add the vegetable broth. The vegetables need to be just under water. Feel free to add a little more liquid if needed. Bring the soup to a boil. As soon as it starts boiling, turn heat to low simmer. Cook for about 40 minutes, or until peas and lentils are soft. Take the pan of the stove. Add the coconut milk. Blend with immersion blender if desired.

Enjoy!