By Kumar Da | Hopium Health
Picture this: London skies, post-Beatles quiet, and George Harrison in the kitchen—chopping onions, tossing cumin seeds into oil, and letting lentils simmer gently in a pan.
That’s not fan fiction. That’s dinner.
Yes, Harrison wasn’t just a spiritual seeker and guitarist extraordinaire. He also knew his way around a vegetarian stew pot, especially when inspired by his time in India. In a now-legendary 1980 cookbook, Mary Frampton & Friends Rock and Roll Recipes, George shared a personal favorite: a spiced lentil soup that’s deeply simple, vegan by accident, and—as the recipe notes—“tastes better the next day.”
And that’s what we’re serving up this Friday. No meat. No fuss. Just warmth, depth, and a little bit of George.
George Harrison’s Dark Horse Lentil Soup
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 1 hour (simmered slowly—no stirring)
Feeds: 4–6 hungry Beatles fans
Vibe: Maharishi x Meatless Monday
Ingredients
- 1 red chili (fresh or dried)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup lentils (any kind, but red or yellow cook fastest)
- 2 large tomatoes, chopped
- 2 green peppers, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Neutral oil (e.g., avocado or sunflower)
Optional adds: diced carrots, potatoes, or a swirl of plain yogurt
Directions
- Start the base:In a frying pan, warm a bit of oil. Add cumin seeds and chili. Let them sizzle.Add onions and garlic. Cook until golden and fragrant.
- Meanwhile:Wash lentils. In a separate pot, cover them with plenty of water and bring to a gentle boil.
- Unite the magic:Add the sautéed onion mix to the lentils.Toss in tomatoes, green peppers, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.Bring to a boil again. Then lower the heat and walk away.
- Cover. No peeking. No stirring. Let it be.Simmer gently for 1 hour. That’s it.
Serve warm now—or refrigerate and let the spices deepen overnight.
(George was right: Day Two is divine.)
Why This Soup Is a Hopium Hero
- Lentils = fiber, protein, folate, and gut-loving prebiotics
- Cumin + chili = digestion, blood sugar support, and metabolism boost
- Garlic + onions = immune function + inflammation fighters
- Satisfying, plant-based, no guilt
- Meditative prep—no rushing, no stirring, just simmering and savoring
Hopium House Pairing: The Maharishi Spritz
Inspired by Harrison’s time at the ashram and our love of soothing sips, here’s what to pour while your soup simmers.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup brewed lemon verbena or tulsi (holy basil) tea, chilled
- Splash of sparkling water
- 1 tsp honey or monk fruit sweetener
- Slice of cucumber or sprig of mint to garnish
- Optional: Add ½ oz botanical gin if you’re feeling retro-British
Mix gently in a glass over ice. Serve with a smirk and a sitar playlist.
Final Thought: Let It Simmer
Sometimes the best meals are the ones that don’t need fussing.
And sometimes the best healing comes in the form of a bowl of soup you let sit overnight.
George understood that. So do we.
So light a candle. Ladle generously. Sip the spritz.
And if you find yourself humming “Here Comes the Sun” by the end of the meal?
Well, that’s the Hopium effect.
— Chef Honeybell & Kumar Da, from the East-West Test Kitchen