1 onion

1 cup red lentils

1 cup chopped mushrooms -- optional

1 butternut squash (or one can pumpkin

puree) 1 cup orange juice

juice of one lemon -- optional 2 teaspoons sugar -- optional

veggie broth (1 1/2 cups or so) 1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon coriander

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon powdered ginger

1/2 teaspoon powdered mustard

cayenne to taste salt to taste

Roast the squash by cutting in half, removing seeds and stringy membrane, place cut side down on baking sheet, pierce skin with a fork a few times, cook at 350 for 40 minutes or until soft.

Chop onions and caramelize in a soup pot. Add broth as needed. (When onions are done put in mushrooms and saute until liquid is released and cooked down.)

Rinse lentils. For quicker soup soak them in the broth.

Scoop squash flesh away from skin and puree with orange juice.

After onions are caramelized (and mushrooms are done) dump all ingredients into the onion cooking pot. Simmer gently until lentils are cooked. If using the squash you may wish to add onion juice to cut the sweetness, if using canned pumpkin you may wish to add sugar to add to the sweetness.