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Mulligatawny Soup

Serves 2
55 mins
815 Kcal
Mulligatawny soup's curry-like flavour profile comes from South Indian cuisine, a tasty combination of spices, vegetables, and, in most recipes, either meat or lentils. The word "mulligatawny" actually comes from Tamil: "milli" means pepper and "kaṭṭu" means sauce. Here's a tasty mulligatawny soup recipe. Enjoy this mulligatawny soup recipe. The original likely recipe contains spicy flavour-based ingredients. Historically, onions, garlic, and ginger are saut ed in oil or ghee as the basis for the soup. Try this easy recipe of mulligatawny soup for a delicious meal. The spices include cumin, coriander, turmeric, and sometimes even curry leaves, which add a good warmth and depth to it. Some common additions of lentils or rice will give the soup a healthy texture. Carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes can add crisp freshness and nutrients to the soup. In most variations, chunks of chicken or lamb may be added to boost the soup with proteins. Another significant feature of mulligatawny is that it must be rich or creamy, achieved typically by adding coconut milk or yoghurt and stirring it in just at the end. This serves to both intensify the flavour and offset the hotness of the spices used. Fresh cilantro garnishes are traditional. The soup is served hot. It can be enjoyed with naan or rice, and it is taken to one's heart's content. Its strong flavour and warmth make it the favourite of those who have been looking forward to a delicious yet healthy meal that accentuates the rich, bright flavour of South India. Mulligatawny soup is scrumptious whether it is taken as a starter or for the main course.

Ingredients required for Mulligatawny Soup

  1. 11/2 tsp oil
  2. 3-4 shallots
  3. 10 gms ginger
  4. 1 garlic
  5. 1 green chilli
  6. Cardamom seeds
  7. 1 cinnamon stick
  8. 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  9. 1 tsp cumin powder
  10. 11/2 tsp coriander powder
  11. 30-40 gms red bell peppers
  12. 1 bay leaf
  13. 5-6 black peppercorns
  14. 100 gms masoor dal
  15. 1/2 lime
  16. 1 tbsp tamarind pulp
  17. 20 gms apple
  18. 40 gms carrots
  19. 1 potato
  20. Salt
  21. 2-3 coriander leaves

Cooking steps for Mulligatawny Soup

  1. 1
    A good blend of Indian and British culinary traditions, Mulligatawny soup is rich in comforting flavours and velvety in texture. The ingredient list begins by heating 11/2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. 2
    After that, once the oil is hot, you add 3-4 diced shallots, allowing them to saut till translucent and aromatic.
  3. 3
    Add the minced ginger and the minced clove of garlic to the mixture and stir with a finely chopped green chilli for a kick. To finish off the aromatic profile, add a few seeds from the cardamom pods and a cinnamon stick.
  4. 4
    This will bring warmth to the oil from spices.
  5. 5
    Add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of cumin powder, and 11/2 teaspoon of coriander powder. With these spices blooming with heat, this works in the kitchen and brings in the most appetizing aroma.
  6. 6
    Now comes 30-40 gms of diced red bell peppers; thus, the soup gets peppered with a splash of colour and sweetness.
  7. 7
    Finally, add the base building elements: 1 bay leaf and 5-6 black peppercorns. It adds this sort of depth to the flavour profile.
  8. 8
    The final element is the star ingredient: 100 gms of soaked red lentils (masoor dal). Make sure they're at least an hour soaked so that they turn out soft. Toss these in the pot and let them get a good coat of spice before adding a liberal 1 1/2 litres of vegetable stock. It is the main base of the soup, and as it warms up, the lentils will break down to create a very creamy texture.
  9. 9
    Now add the coconut milk, 1/2 cup. This is going to give the soup an extra richness and a subtle sweetness. For the simmering mixture, include 20 gms of grated apples, 40 gms of grated carrots, and one medium-sized grated potato. These ingredients will give the soup more than just nutritional benefits but also a sweetness to it, and the heartiness of it all is very satisfying.
  10. 10
    Let the soup simmer for about 20–25 minutes, until the lentils and vegetables are tender. Now taste with salt and pepper. That gets you a taste. Then a squeeze from a half lime will brighten it, make it tangy, and appetizing.
  11. 11
    The salty richness of coconut milk is well balanced in this way. If it's too thin to your liking, you could blend part of the soup to thicken it using an immersion blender to partially leave pieces for texture.
  12. 12
    Finally, remove the bay leaf and cinnamon stick just before serving.
  13. 13
    Pour the mulligatawny soup into individual bowls and garnish with coriander leaves for a burst of freshness. This isn't just dinner; it's a warm hug in a bowl—perfect for a chilly evening or any night you need a comfort dish. The wonderful balance of spices, variety of textures, and delightful fusion of flavours makes every spoonful a delight, served with warm naan or crusty bread to complete the event. Enjoy this tasty dish that goes hand-in-hand with great culinary traditions and warm memories!

Shop Ingredients

Potato (1)
45
1
56
1
Green Chilli (1)
9
1
21
1
177
1
Shallots (3-4)
31
1
68
1
Garlic (1)
113
1
102
1
135
1
119
1
184
1
155
1
135
1
125
1
Salt
27
1
21
1
97
1
22
1
50
1
107
1
57
1
105
1
47
1
67
1
Red Bell Peppers (30-40 gms)
119
1
Cinnamon Stick (1)
52
1
45
1
32
1
Cumin Powder (1 Tsp)
72
1
101
1
90
1
180
1
118
1
163
1
186
1
Oil (11/2 Tsp)
148
1
177
1
138
1
141
1
144
1
153
1
230
1
144
1
236
1
175
1
Ginger (10 gms)
25
1
44
1
47
1
96
1
Cardamom Seeds
224
1
440
1
390
1
308
1
Bay Leaf (1)
25
1
18
1
17
1
35
1
36
1
Carrots (40 gms)
32
1
53
1
74
1
Apple (20 gms)
119
1
105
1
136
1
139
1
65
1
252
1
Lime (1/2)
110
1
83
1
Masoor Dal (100 gms)
65
1
142
1
66
1
66
1
54
1
114
1
144
1
150
1
113
1
130
1
Black Peppercorns (5-6)
39
1
134
1
270
1
247
1
169
1
201
1
135
1
91
1
130
1
168
1
Coriander Leaves (2-3)
20
1
Tamarind Pulp (1 Tbsp)
127
1
200
1
149
1
80
1
96
1
147
1
139
1
136
1
270
1
256
1
Turmeric Powder (1/2 Tsp)
62
1
68
1
119
1
225
1
Coriander Powder (11/2 Tsp)
30
1

FAQs

What is Mulligatawny Soup?

This is a scented and fragrant dish of Indian origin, adapted for the Western palate. Traditionally prepared with spiced lentils, vegetables, and sometimes even meat, chicken, or lamb, the name "mulligatawny" comes from the Tamil words "milagu" for pepper and "tannir" for water, thus giving a peppery flavour and soup-like consistency. The spices that flavour this dish include cumin, coriander, and turmeric, but often feature coconut milk for richness.

Is Mulligatawny Soup vegetarian?

Mulligatawny soup can be offered as vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Generally, the vegetarian dish has a high variety of vegetables, lentils, and spices as an objective so that it becomes a quite thick and nutritious dish. Then the meat-based versions include chicken or lamb additions for protein and flavour. The common use in both is coconut milk or yoghurt, which helps the dish become rich, creamy, and very palatable.

How should I serve Mulligatawny Soup?

This soup is very versatile and can be served as an appetiser or as the main course. It will pair wonderfully with basmati rice, naan, or crusty bread as you absorb the deep flavours. You can also garnish the soup with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lemon juice right before serving to seal the meal. This creates an added flavour and refreshment to the spices. Either as a comforting meal in one sitting or as one of the dishes during a greater feast, mulligatawny soup is guaranteed to delight your palate.