Kramer: A hot bowl of mulligatawny would hit the spot.

Elaine: Mulligatawny?

Kramer: Yes, it’s a delightful Hindu concoction simmered to perfection by one of the great soup artisans in the modern era.

Elaine: Who, the Soup Nazi?

Kramer: He’s not a Nazi, Elaine. He just happens to be a little eccentric. Most geniuses are.

The “Soup Nazi” episode is a classic in the Seinfeld canon. When I caught the re-run on television the other day I decided that I had to make Kramer’s favorite – the Soup Nazi’s mulligatawny soup. I just chopped everything up and added it all to the crockpot and set it on high for 5 hours. It’s AMAZING! It would also make a great vegetarian meal (omitting the chicken and substituting the broth for water, of course).

1 1/2 pounds diced boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

2 tablespoons garam masala < This is a must!

1 3/4 teaspoons salt

2 cups small diced onions

1 cup small diced carrots

2 cups small diced celery

2 tablespoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons minced ginger

2 cups peeled, cored and diced Granny Smith apples

1 cup peeled and diced Yukon gold potatoes

1 cup peeled and diced sweet potatoes

1 cup dried red lentils

6 cups chicken or beef stock

3/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

3/4 cup diced zucchini

3/4 cup diced yellow squash

1 cup tightly packed baby spinach

(14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk < This is a must!

1 cup peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

It's light and aromatic, but rich and savory at the same time. It could easily be spiced up a bit with some curry. You want bread? Three dollars!

