In a medium soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and translucent. You want the onions to be fragrant and glossy.
Add the garlic and sweet potato, cooking for another 5 minutes. Stir occasionally, allowing the sweet potato to soften slightly. You should see some browning on the edges of the vegetables.
Now, stir in the green lentils, ground cumin, ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, ground turmeric, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and ground cloves. Mix everything well, allowing the spices to coat the vegetables. Cook for about 1 minute until the mixture becomes fragrant.
Pour in the vegetable broth and bring it to a rolling boil. As it heats up, you’ll notice the spices mingling beautifully, creating an inviting aroma.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes. During this time, the lentils and sweet potatoes will become tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and enjoy the delightful smells wafting from your pot.
After 20 minutes, check for tenderness. The lentils should be soft but not mushy. If they need a bit more time, simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Once everything is cooked, ladle the soup into bowls. Top each serving with freshly chopped cilantro for a burst of flavor and color.
Serve your Cozy and Satisfying Moroccan Lentil Soup warm, and enjoy the comforting blend of flavors!
