Food for Friday, Spicy Lentil Soup

Lately I have had many people ask me what lentils are... well they are like a bean, they come in pods like pea's and are great in soups... so this week I included a lentil soup that I got back when I was in Jr Miss when I went to a "Lentil Festival" they had everything from lentil pancakes (which I do NOT recommend) to lentil soups like the one below. This one is a spicier version of the actual one I tried, but I think it's great! :) 

Spicy Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 6 cups water
• 1 cup lentils
• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
• 1 (19 ounce) can cannellini beans
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup diced carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

1. In large pot saute; the onions, garlic, and ginger in a little olive oil for about 5 minutes.
2. Add remaining ingredients to a crock pot and cook on low for 2-4 hours... until lentils are soft
3. Puree half the soup in blender. Return the pureed soup to the pot, stir and enjoy!