Kumara, coconut and lentil soup

1 Place oil and onion in a large pot (or frying pan, if using a slow cooker). Cook over a medium-high heat until onion is lightly and evenly browned. Add ginger, garlic and curry powder to onion. Stir for 1-2 minutes.

2 Stove top method: When onion has softened and spices are fragrant, add lentils, kumara, water, stock and coconut milk to pot then stir. Simmer, stirring now and then, for 15-20 minutes, or until everything is tender.

3 Slow cooker method: While onion mixture cooks, preheat a medium-to-large slow cooker to high or low (depending on how much time you have available), then tip in onion mixture. Add the remaining ingredients. Cook on high for about 4 hours or on low for about 8 hours until kumara is tender.

6  Both methods: mash, process, or blend mixture with a hand blender until smooth and season to taste before serving.