I am paying a visit in Dortmund, which is my hometown in “North Rhine Westphalia” Germany.  It is always nice to be back home. I  especially like home in Autumn, when colorful leafs fall off the trees and temperatures turn from hot to chilly. It´s the time when people start turning their heaters on at home and drink hot chocolates while listening to the whisteling wind outside that shakes all  trees.

The sun is still shining at this time of the year, the air is cold but clear and the sunsets are very beautiful. Not do people only change their clothes , also the local cuisine does change in autum.

The meals are getting more hearty and stews conquer the kitchens of Germany.

I was craving a good and honest ” Wesphalian Lentil Soup” one day  and I remembered that my friend Hannes promised me to cook a proper one for me. He made this promise in India, cause that is the place we met and became friends in 2013

Hannes is a truely gifted Singer and Songwriter who is touring Germany with his band. His Songs are beautiful and i listen to them when iam far away from home. They reflect a real homefeeling for me. Please check out more about Hannes and his Music on:

www.hannesweyland.de

So one day I called Hannes and asked him of if he would fulfill his promise of cooking the soup for me. He directly invited me over to his apartment in Dortmund, where he lives with his wife Nadine and his son Viktor.

What he cooked this afternoon was  far more than i expected! It was a lentil Soup that stays in my memory! We had a very nice day playing football with Viktor. The Soup supplied us with lots of energy.

Hannes , thanks a lot for your awesome hospitality and for being such a good friend. I really enjoyed that day with you and your family. Next time i will cook something for you, if you let me 🙂

Recipe for Hanne´s ” Westphalian Lentil Soup”

1 plate of sliced leeks

1 plate of diced potatos

1 plate of sliced carrots

1 plate of diced celeriac

1 plate of roughly sliced smoked porc sausages

4 cloves of garlic, chopped

Bunch of fresh parsley

500g dried Lentils

salt and pepper

2,5 – 3 Liters of Water

Vegtable Oil  or Ghee (clarified butter)

How to cook the recipe:

The recipe is simple and it is a one pot wonder!

First add some Oil or Ghee ( Hannes used Ghee) to a pressure cooker and start frying the leeks until they get some color.

Add the Celeriac and the carrots as well. Stir for 5 minutes on medium heat.

Now chop 4 garlic cloves roughly and add to the pressure cooker as well.

Add salt and pepper to season.

Stir well again before adding the lentils and the water to the pot.

Close the pressure cooker properly and cook it until it releases steam for the first time. It can take up to 20 minutes.

After that take of the lid and add the diced potatos and the sausage.

Hannes also added a bunch of Parsley for more flavor.

When you open the pressure cooker the first time youn should get a first idea of the cosistency. Add some more water if needed and close the pressure cooker again. Cook for another 20-25 minutes.

After a total of 45 minutes cooking time , the lentil soup is done. Have a first taste! Maybe you will need some more salt. Done! Serve immediately!

This soup tastes even better the next day.

Believe me, this soup rocks!! 🙂 Try it!!

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