Quick Red Lentil Soup Recipe for Breaking the Fast

After a relatively light fast like the Fast of Gedaliah, the body needs fluids, readily available sugars, and something gentle on digestion that won't weigh down the stomach. Red lentil and butternut squash soup is the perfect solution—warming, nourishing, ready in just 20 minutes, and requires no blending.

Red lentils break down on their own during cooking, creating a thick, rich texture, while grated squash adds natural sweetness and high nutritional value. Combined with cumin and turmeric, the result is an aromatic soup that gives the body exactly what it needs after hours of fasting.

Quick Red Lentil and Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients (serves 4):

1 cup red lentils (rinsed and drained)

2 cups grated butternut squash

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tablespoon olive oil

5 cups boiling water

Spices: 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon turmeric, salt and black pepper to taste

For serving: fresh lemon juice

Preparation instructions:

In a medium pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes until lightly golden.
Add the grated squash, red lentils, and spices (cumin, turmeric, salt, and pepper). Stir for about a minute to open up the flavors.
Pour in the boiling water, bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover the pot, and cook for approximately 15-20 minutes until the lentils and squash are completely soft and the soup has thickened.

Serving: Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice into each bowl just before eating.

More Ideas for Breaking the Fast

If you're looking for additional options, potato and cheese casserole is an excellent choice, satisfying, comforting, and easy to prepare. Alongside a fresh vegetable salad or yogurt, it creates a complete and balanced meal.

It's important to remember that the meal breaking the fast doesn't need to supply all the energy and nutrients that were depleted during the fast. Large meals are unhealthy and produce opposite results, excess energy turns to fat and weighs us down.

Bon appétit!