• 150 GRAM RED LENTILS
• 200 GRAM HAM, cubed
• 100 GRAM CARROTS, cubed
• 1 ONION, chopped
• 4 CUPS CHICKEN STOCK STOCK
• HANDFUL THYME, cut
• 50 GRAM CHEESE, grated
• 4 TBSP SOUR CREAM

• 400 GRAM WHITE FISH FILLET, cubed
• 1 ONION, chopped
• 300 GRAM PUMPKIN, in cubes
• 1/2 LITER CHICKEN STOCK
• 2 TBSP TAMARIND PASTE
• 200 GRAM COCONUT MILK
• 1 RED SWEET PEPPER, in strips
• 1 TBSP RED CURRY PASTE
• 1 STEM OF LEMON GRASS, chopped
• 1 RED CHILI PEPPER, chopped

Stir fry the onion, the carrots and the ham for 5 minutes. Add the stock, the lentils and the thyme, bring this to the boil and simmer for 25 minutes. Serve with sour cream and grated cheese.

This soup is served for New Year, since the lentils represent the coins one so hopes to earn. Some countries have the same habit, whilst others go for the big money and serve green leafy vegetables, for bank notes. On Worldcook's New Year page you will find New Year recipes from all over the world. Click on culinary calendar for more links between tradition and cooking.

See also recipes for Chilean lentil soup, Spanish lentil soup and Turkish lentil soup.