Ingredients:
- Carrot - 1 medium, peeled and chopped
- Potato - 1 medium, peeled and chopped
- Green beans - ½ cup, chopped
- Leeks or Onion - 1 small, chopped
- Tomato - 1 medium, chopped
- Cabbage - ½ cup, chopped
- Spinach - 1 cup (optional)
- Green chilies - 2, sliced
- Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
- Ginger - 1-inch piece, minced
- Curry leaves - 1 sprig
- Cinnamon stick - 1 small piece
- Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
- Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
- Turmeric powder - ½ tsp
- Curry powder - 1 tsp
- Chili powder - ½ tsp (optional)
- Coconut milk - 1 cup (thin)
- Water - 4 cups
- Salt - to taste
- Pepper - to taste
- Coconut oil - 1 tbsp (or vegetable oil)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
- Wash, peel, and chop all the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
- Heat coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add cumin seeds, curry leaves, and a cinnamon stick. Stir for a few seconds to release their aroma.
- Add chopped onions (or leeks), garlic, and ginger. Sauté until the onions are soft and golden.
Step 3: Add the Vegetables
- Add the chopped carrots, potatoes, green beans, cabbage, and tomato to the pot. Stir everything together for 2–3 minutes.
Step 4: Add Spices
- Add turmeric powder, curry powder, chili powder (optional), salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine, allowing the spices to coat the vegetables.
Step 5: Add Water and Simmer
- Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer the soup for 20–25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Step 6: Add Coconut Milk
- Once the vegetables are soft, add the coconut milk to the soup.
- Stir and let it simmer for another 5–10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 7: Final Taste Adjustment
- Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper to your liking.
- If you prefer a slightly thicker soup, you can mash some of the vegetables gently with a spoon.
Step 8: Serve
- Serve the hot vegetable soup as a comforting starter or main dish.
- Garnish with fresh herbs or additional curry leaves if desired.
Tips:
- Vegetable Variations: You can add other vegetables such as sweet potato, pumpkin, or peas based on what you have.
- Spice Level: Adjust the number of green chilies and chili powder based on your preferred spice level.
- Consistency: If you prefer a creamier soup, you can blend some of the soup once it’s cooked, or use thicker coconut milk.
Enjoy your healthy and flavorful Sri Lankan vegetable soup! 🍲🌿🥥