Ingredients

• 4 cups chopped red onions (about 2 large)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sunflower oil or canola oil
• 1 teaspoon nigella seeds*
• 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 3 tablespoons sunflower or canola oil
• 4 teaspoons curry powder
• 2/3 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small head of cauliflower, halved, cored, cut into 1/3-inch-thick slices, broken into pieces (about 3 cups)
• 1 medium white onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons curry leaves
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
• 1 tablespoon turmeric
• 4 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 6 bay leaves
• 1 9-ounce bag baby spinach leaves
• 1 14- to 16-ounce container firm tofu, drained, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until onions begin to soften, stirring frequently, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until onions are very soft, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes. Add lemon juice and lemon peel; cook uncovered until most liquid is evaporated, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm before serving.
2. For curry oil: Cook oil and curry powder in heavy small skillet over medium-high heat until curry powder darkens slightly, about 1 minute. Transfer to small pitcher. Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.
3. Cook oil and curry powder in heavy small skillet over medium-high heat until curry powder darkens slightly, about 1 minute. Transfer to small pitcher. Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.
4. For minted yogurt: Mix yogurt, green onions, and chopped mint in medium bowl. Cover and chill. Can be made 6 hours ahead. Keep chilled.
5. Mix yogurt, green onions, and chopped mint in medium bowl. Cover and chill. Can be made 6 hours ahead. Keep chilled.
6. For soup: Heat oil in heavy large pot over high heat. Add next 5 ingredients. Cook until onion and cauliflower begin to brown, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add potatoes; stir 2 minutes. Add turmeric and stir 1 minute. Add broth and bay leaves. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Add tofu; heat until warmed through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Discard bay leaves. Divide soup among 6 bowls; sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve salsa, curry oil, and minted yogurt alongside.
7. Heat oil in heavy large pot over high heat. Add next 5 ingredients. Cook until onion and cauliflower begin to brown, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add potatoes; stir 2 minutes. Add turmeric and stir 1 minute. Add broth and bay leaves. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Add tofu; heat until warmed through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Discard bay leaves.
8. Divide soup among 6 bowls; sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve salsa, curry oil, and minted yogurt alongside.
9. *Nigella seeds are pungent and peppery, from a flowering plant of the same name. Also called kalonji or black onion seeds. Available at indianfoodsco.com.