Tangy Lemon Coriander Clear Soup

Clear soups have a quiet place in many Indian home kitchens. They are the thing you make when you want something warm and bright without a heavy gravy, and this one is a good example. The base is simply water, garlic and green chillies sizzled for a few seconds in oil, so the flavour comes from the aromatics rather than from cream or stock cubes.

The lemon is the part that makes people pause. Add it at the end, after the cornflour has done its job, and it stays sharp and fresh. If you cook it too long the citrus turns flat, so keep an eye on the clock once the coriander goes in.

A food fact worth knowing: cabbage is one of those vegetables that stays crunchy for surprisingly little time over heat. That is why the recipe asks you to toss the cabbage and carrot for only about a minute before the water goes in. You want them to keep a bit of bite, which is what gives each spoonful its gentle texture. Chopped small, they also cook through in the time it takes the soup to thicken.

For leftovers, this soup is best eaten the same day. The cabbage softens and the coriander loses its colour overnight. If you do keep some, store it cold and reheat gently on a low flame, then add a fresh squeeze of lemon just before serving. Do not boil it hard, because the cornflour can go slightly grainy.

To serve it as a light meal, pair a bowl with something that has a bit of substance. A plate of plain dal and rice works well, and so does a cold, crisp side. A Tangy Lemon Cabbage Salad echoes the soup's flavours without competing with them. For something earthier, a Punjabi Mustard Greens and Spinach Saag makes a hearty companion, and a Crunchy Onion Salad with Lemon and Chillies adds more of that fresh bite if you want the table to feel lively.

Salt is the one thing to adjust with care. The recipe lists it as to taste, and it is worth tasting the broth before you commit, since lemon and coriander can make the soup seem saltier than it is. Start with less, then add a pinch at the end if it needs it.