In a medium soup pot or Dutch oven, heat coconut oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add onion, stirring occasionally, until the onions are transparent and beginning to turn slightly golden about 6 – 8 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and cook an additional 5 minutes, stirring as necessary to keep the ingredients from browning or sticking.

Add garam masala or curry powder, coating onions, ginger and garlic, being careful not to burn ingredients. Cook for 1 minute. Add coconut milk and stir well so that spices are loosened, then add lentils, coconut, crushed tomatoes and juice, and vegetable stock or water. Bring the ingredients to a boil, then lower heat to medium-low and allow soup to simmer. Stir occasionally until the lentils are cooked and soup has thickened, about 25 – 30 minutes. Add additional water if soup is too thick for your taste.

Add baby spinach or power greens and stir until the spinach becomes limp and starts to blend in well with the soup. Add soy or tamari then season to taste with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat, stir in vanilla, and allow soup to rest until you are ready to serve it. Reheat before serving if necessary.

Ladle soup into bowls and add a spoonful of yogurt or serve it on the side. (optional)