Lentil And Broccoli Soup Food

CREAMY BROCCOLI + RED LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Saute: In a large dutch oven or stock pot, heat oil/water over medium heat, add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cook another minute or until fragrant.
• Simmer: Add lentils, broccoli, broth/water and optional coconut milk. Using the back of a fork or spoon press the broccoli down as much as you can to cover with liquids. Bring to a boil, cover pot with lid, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes. Soup is done when lentils are tender. Season to taste with salt + pepper.
• Puree: Using an immersion blender puree until desired consistency. Or once cooled a few minutes, use a food processor/blender to puree (this method may take two batches to complete).
• Serve: Ladle into serving bowls and top with mustard seeds, scallions and almonds. Pairs great with homemade Artisan Bread or biscuits of choice. If you have a lemon on hand, add a squeeze to your soup for added brightness.
• Serves 4 - 6
• Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, keep in the freezer for up to 2 - 3 months. Let thaw before reheating. Reheat on the stove or microwave.

LENTIL AND BROCCOLI SOUP

Steps:

• Cut the florets from the broccoli stalks; cut the florets into pieces of about 1/2 inch.
• Trim the rough bottoms from the stalks, peel the stalks, and cut them into 1/2-inch dice.
• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat; add in the potatoes and cook, stirring, until they are golden and begin to stick to the bottom of the pot (don't worry if they stick; the little brown bits will add lots of flavor to the soup).
• Whack the garlic with the flat side of a knife, stir it into the pot and cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until you can smell the garlic.
• Pour in the hot water and bring to a vigorous boil, stirring as you do to scrape up any browned bits of potato.
• Toss in the bay leaves and cook for 15 minutes.
• Stir in the lentils, decrease heat to simmering, and let simmer 15 minutes.
• Stir in the broccoli; season the soup with salt and pepper; cook until the broccoli and lentils are very tender, about 15 minutes.
• Skim any foam that rises to the surface as the soup simmers.
• Remove the soup from the heat; pluck out the bay leaves, and let the soup rest off the heat, 10-15 minutes.
• Ladle the soup into warm bowls and drizzle with olive oil; pass the grated Pecorino separately.

LENTILS WITH CHARRED BROCCOLI & GINGER

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a saucepan and quickly fry the shallots, garlic and ginger, then add the lentils, chicken stock and half the soy. Simmer until the liquid has reduced by half.
• Heat the sunflower oil in a frying pan, add the broccoli florets and fry until the edges are charred and toasted. Toss the broccoli occasionally so that it doesn't burn. Dress with the remaining soy sauce and the sesame oil, then stir through the lentils. Just before serving, scatter over the coriander and green chilli.