Appetite of Destruction: Video extravaganza that has a vague connection to lentils

Well hello there.
Today's theme is Lentils. So our recipe is for Sweet potato, lentil and coconut soup.

I'll lay out the background story for you.
When I was younger I fell in love with a band called Earthtone9. They were amazing. So heavy but the singer had a great melodic singing voice that could put you into a trance, as well as screaming like a demon.

http://www.earthtone9.co.uk/

So, Earthtone9 split up. I wept uncontrollably for months. Then the singer started up a new band with guys from Pitchshifter, Consumed and Army of flying robots called The Blueprint.

The Blueprint were equally as awesome but never got the recognition that they deserved. So unfortunately they never made it up to Scotland to play.
Nay worries. I shall go to them!

So anyway, travelled down to London twice, Manchester and Liverpool to see them. That's dedication.
Got talking with the singer after one of the London gigs about trying to help them get up to Scotland to play.
Said the band could stay at me and my boyfriend at the times house and I would cook for them. "Big growing lads need proper food" I said.
The singer Karl said that would be cool but he was vegan. I choked on my vodka and said "That's OK. I'll make you something nice with lentils".

Well, it never happened and The Blueprint split up. I wept again uncontrollably for months.

So then the singer got involved in a new project called Twin Zero.

http://www.myspace.com/twinzero

I'm not too sure about about Twin Zero. It scares me. I imagine it's the kinda music that a serial killer would listen to. A little unsettling. Probably just me. .

As it happens, I'm listening to Nat King Cole as I write this. I love the Crooners.

Oh yeah, I forgot I'm supposed to be writing a recipe.

Sweet potato, Lentil and coconut soup

Serves 6 - 8

Ingredients

4 medium sized sweet potatoes peeled and cut into small chunks
1 large onion diced finely
Big knob ginger peeled and chopped finely
4 cloves garlic chopped finely
Half red chilli seeds removed and chopped finely or half teaspoon dried chilli flakes
200g red lentils
400g tin coconut milk
1 veggie stock cube
1 1/2 litres water
Pinch salt and pepper
Splash olive or sunflower oil

Place the oil in a large pot over a medium heat.
Add the onion, ginger, garlic and chilli and cook for about 5 minutes without browning. You just want to soften them and get out all the lovely smells.
Add the sweet potato and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the lentils and coconut milk and give it a good stir.
Add the water, stock cube, salt and pepper.
Give it another good stir, turn up the heat and bring to the boil. When soup starts to boil, turn down the heat to a simmer and leave to cook for about 30 minutes stirring occasionally. The sweet potatoes and lentils don't take too long to cook so this is quite and quick recipe to make.
When sweet potato and lentils are tender take off the heat, check there is enough seasoning and then either blend with an electric stick blender or use a masher to squeesh up the veg and lentils. Serve with warm nan bread or leave to cool and put into Tupperware. The soup will keep in the fridge for 4 days or in the freezer for 3 months.