French Lentil Soup W Smoked Paprika Food

FRENCH LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, celery, carrots, and garlic; sauté until vegetables begin to brown, about 15 minutes. Add 4 cups broth, lentils, and tomatoes with juice and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until lentils are tender, about 35 minutes.
• Transfer 2 cups soup (mostly solids) to blender and puree until smooth. Return puree to soup in pan; thin soup with more broth by 1/4 cupfuls, if too thick. Season with salt, pepper, and a splash of vinegar, if desired. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with celery leaves.

FRENCH LENTIL SOUP W/ SMOKED PAPRIKA

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium heat, combine the oil, onion, carrot, garlic, thyme, paprika, mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir, cover, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften. Add the lentils, stir, then add the vegetable stock, water, tomato paste, and bay leaf. Increase the heat to bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 30 to 35 minutes, or longer if needed, until the lentils are fully cooked through. Remove the bay leaf. Add the lemon juice, if using, stir, and serve, sprinkling with chopped chives, if desired. Serves 4-5.

RED LENTIL SOUP WITH SMOKED PAPRIKA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat, and add the onion, celery, carrots, and bell pepper. Reduce the heat, season with salt and pepper, and sauté, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes, until wilted and starting to color. Add both paprikas and the cumin, and briefly toast until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with the wine, and once it has bubbled away, add the tomatoes, season again with salt, and stir well. Cook until most of the tomato juices have reduced, about 3 minutes.
• Add the lentils, 2 1/2 quarts water, the saffron, and the sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook over medium-low heat until the lentils are completely tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Give the soup a few pulses with an immersion blender to create a creamy but still chunky texture. Add the lemon juice and check the seasoning. Serve with a dollop of yogurt and herb leaves.