Lentil Soup Created 2002 Food

THE BEST LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrot, onion, celery and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are starting to caramelize and take on a dark brown color, 8 to 10 minutes (this step is important as it will add tons of flavor to your soup!).
• Stir in the tomato paste and garlic and cook, scraping up the brown bits, until the garlic is fragrant and slightly softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add in the lentils, stock, 4 cups water, thyme, bay leaf, oregano, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, 2 teaspoons salt and a generous amount of black pepper and stir to combine. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the lentils are softened with just a bit of bite, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf. Puree 2 1/2 cups of the soup in a blender until smooth then stir back into the pot. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Ladle into bowls and garnish with more parsley.

LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper and saute until all the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices. Simmer until the juices evaporate a little and the tomatoes break down, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add the lentils and mix to coat. Add the broth and stir. Add the thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer over low heat until the lentils are almost tender, about 30 minutes.
• Stir in the pasta. Simmer until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with the Parmesan, drizzle with olive oil, and serve.

VEGETARIAN WINTER LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Slice each leek in half lengthwise, then slice each half into 4 sections.
• Chop leeks into small pieces.
• Place chopped leeks into a bowl of cold water and swish around to remove any grit or soil.
• Drain well through a sieve.
• Remove stems from kale and discard.
• Stack leaves on top of one another and slice crosswise into 1/2 inch wide strips; set aside.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, heat oil.
• Add leeks and cook for 3 minutes.
• Crush tomatoes and add to the saucepan and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add vegetable broth and water and bring to boil.
• Stir in kale strips, barley, carrot slices, sweet potato cubes, brown and green lentils, thyme, salt, pepper and basil.
• Simmer until barley and lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.
• Adjust seasonings to taste.
• Spoon into individual soup bowls and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
• This soup freezes well in zip-lok bags, or plastic containers. Omit the parmesan cheese if freezing.

LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• The night before, wash the lentils and let soak overnight covered in cold water.
• Next day, drain the lentils.
• In a large dutch oven or soup pot, saute the diced bacon until golden brown.
• Add sliced onions and diced carrots and saute until the onions are golden.
• Add the lentils, water, sliced celery, salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaves.
• With a grater, grate the peeled potato into the lentil mixture.
• Add the ham bone.
• Simmer, covered, for about 3 hours. The lentils should be tender.
• Remove the bay leaves and ham bone. Cut all bits of meat from the ham bone and return the meat to the soup.
• To serve at once, add the lemon juice and enjoy!
• To serve the next day, refrigerate soup adn then add the lemon juice and reheat.

LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils and place them in a soup pot.
• Add: water, ham bone, onion, carrots, celery, parsley, garlic,basil, oregano.
• Salt& pepper to taste.
• Cover pan and bring to a boil, then turn down heat and simmer covered for 1 1/2 hours.
• After long simmer add the can of tomatoes (do not drain) and vinegar.
• Simmer for 30 minutes more.
• Remove bone and put any meat back into the soup.
• Adjust any seasonings to taste.