This soup is one of our favorites. It is packed with protein, fiber and taste. It feeds many and makes wonderful leftovers for dinner or lunch. Plus lentils are very inexpensive – approximately $2.00 a bag. A few weeks ago I made the blended version and my almost 2-year-old grandson loved it.
Lentil Soup
2014-04-06 13:16:02
Serves 8
A rich savory soup.
Ingredients
- 1 bag of lentils, sorted and rinsed
- 4 pieces of bacon (optional)
- 2 Tbsp of olive oil
- 1 large leek, sliced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 3 stalks of celery, chopped
- 1 15 oz tomato sauce
- 8 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Note: May need additional broth, water, or milk (I use unsweetened almond milk) for a thinner consistency soup.
- Green Onion - chopped - garnish
- Sour Cream - garnish
Instructions
- Place the lentils on a cookie sheet. Remove any rocks or stones. Put the lentils in a large bowl of cool water. Use your hands to gently wash. Pour lentils into a colander and set aside.
- To prepare your leek - cut the dark part of the stalk away. Fill your kitchen sink with cook water. Slice the leek length way in half and then once more so you have 4 quarters. Place in water and gently pull the layers of leek apart and rub dirt away. You'll be amazed how dirty this vegetable is. Remove from water and dry with a kitchen towel and then slice.
- Now it's time to get started. Place a dutch oven on low-medium heat on burner of stovetop.
- Option 1 - Cut bacon strips in 1 1/2 inch piece and cook until crisp. Remove bacon from pan - leave drippings.
- Option 2 - Heat olive oil.
- Add leeks to pan and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring often so they don't burn.
- Add carrots and celery to pan and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add lentils and stir for 2 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients except green onion and sour cream and cook for 30 minutes covered on low.
- Two options for serving soup...
- 1. Blend soup in blender or VitaMix. Be careful to put small amounts of the soup in your blender at a time to avoid burns. Place blended soup in a new pan or container. This soup when blended will have a clay type color - it's not pretty but it's good.
- 2. Serve chunky as is.
- The soup can be topped with sour cream and green onion.
Notes
- Chopped chicken can also be added to this soup.
Deliciously Inspired http://www.deliciouslyinspired.com/
Bacon is an option.
Sliced leeks.
Adding the carrot and celery.
Add the lentils and follow the recipe and you’ll soon be eating a yummy, nutritious soup..
Here is a recipe using lentils for breakfast
