Spicy Christmas Soup with Cauliflower, Kale & Red Peppers (Cold-Snap Soup)

This vegan high-protein, spicy soup with cauliflower, kale, red peppers, chickpeas and lentils is seasonal in its Christmas colors and has been the perfect warming lunch for our recent cold-snap, so I'm dubbing it "Cold-Snap Soup".  It uses freshly available winter produce and canned/jarred extras and, to give it a real sinus-clearing warmth,  I've added a pre-made Chili-Garlic Sauce.  Additional winter vegetables include potatoes and cabbage and I've added lentils to round out its heartiness. Spices include ground cumin and coriander, but if you have some handy, feel free to add a little harissa.

I have to admit, I've become pretty addicted to the warm comfort this soup provides.  And it's all good for you, so take the chill off and make a warming batch today!

Spicy Cauliflower, Kale & Red Pepper Soup (Cold-Snap Soup):
1 TBS olive oil
1/2 onion, fine diced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp harissa (powdered, optional)
1/3 cup potato, diced
1/2 cup cauliflower florettes, cut small
1/2 cup cabbage, chopped
16 oz vegetable broth
1 TBS tomato paste
6 oz canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
1/4 cup roasted red peppers, diced
1 cup kale leaves, stems removed and torn into 1-2" pieces
1/2 cup cooked lentils (I used Trader Joe's steamed)
1 tsp chili-garlic sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed medium saucepan and add the onion and garlic. Cook over medium heat until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add the ground cumin, coriander and harissa (if using).  Stir for 1 minute.  Add the diced potato and cauliflower, cover, and cook for 3-4 minutes.  Stir well and add the cabbage. Cover and cook 2 minutes.  Add some salt and pepper. Add the vegetable broth and raise the heat to high to bring the soup to a boil.  Turn heat down to a simmer and add the tomato paste, chickpeas, kale, and cooked lentils. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the chili-garlic sauce and simmer an additional 10 minutes. Taste the soup and determine if you need to add more salt and pepper. If you want a spicier soup, add more chili-garlic sauce.  Enjoy!