Spiced Red Lentil Soup

There are many varieties of red lentil soup, which developed along the Silk Road. The iraqis prepare theirs with rice and vegetables and a hefty dose of garlic. In north Africa, they add tomatoes. In turkey, they add dried red peppers, wheatberries, mint, and green peppers, while the Syrians prepare this soup with coriander seeds and cumin. This South indian version is prepared with sautéed red onions in a coconut-lime base that is cooked with red lentils, which naturally break down to give