Cucalenco soup

I saw a request for lentil soup on a veg(etari)an group I belong to on Facebook, so instead of writing it there, I'm writing it here, so I can just give anyone the URL for this page.

So, here's my Cucalenco Soup (CUrried CArrot, red LENtil, and COconut)

1 cup of red lentils,
4 med  carrots, peeled, diced (reserve trimmings)
 2 med onion, diced (reserve peels and ends)
3 cloves of garlic, minced/pressed
14 oz coconut milk (regular, lite, or coconut beverage)
1/4 cup cilantro, minced
1 T curry powder
1 bay leaf
1" piece of fresh ginger, minced/grated

Soak lentils in 4 cups of water for at least 10 minutes;  drain and reserve soaking water.
While the lentils are soaking, prep the onions, garlic, and carrots.  Drain the lentils and add all the veggie trimmings to the lentil soaking water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes then strain.  Measure out a 4 1/2 to 5 cups, adding water if necessary to make required amount (I usually make do with around 4 1/4 to 4 1/2).

Heat a soup pot over medium heat for 2 minutes.  Toss in the onions (NO OIL!  Don't worry; you won't miss it!)  and saute over medium high heat, stirring often, until onions start to brown, about 10 minutes, adding some water when the onions start to stick a bit.  Add the broth, lentils, carrots, coconut milk, 1 tsp salt and bay leaf.

Cover and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer partially covered, until carrots are tender, about 20-30 minutes.

Meanwhile in a small skillet, heat 1 T oil over medium heat.  Add garlic, ginger, curry powder, and cilantro.  Cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.  Add to soup.

Remove bay leaf* and in a food processor or blender, puree soup in batches (a blender produces a much smoother textured soup).  Taste and add a bit more salt if desired. Serves about 6.

*Make sure you remember to remove the bay leaf!  Bay leaf shards are NOT pleasant to swallow.  I can't remember how many batches of this soup I've ruined because I forgot to remove the leaf before I blended it.