Hearty Lentil Soup
Compliments of Vegankitchen.com
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 6 cups water
- 1 large or 2 medium potatoes or 1 medium sweet potato, scrubbed and diced (peel only if you want to)
- 1¼ cups dried green or brown lentils, rinsed and soaked over-night
- 1 tablespoon salt-free all-purpose seasoning blend (like Frontier or Mrs. Dash)
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 15- to 16-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup minced fresh parsley or cilantro, plus more, to finish
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the onion and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add the garlic, celery, and carrots and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes longer.
2. Add the water, potatoes, lentils, seasoning blend, paprika, and bay leaves. Bring to a slow boil, then cover and simmer until the lentils and vegetables are nearly done, about 30 minutes.
3. Add the tomatoes and parsley or cilantro, and simmer for 15 minutes longer over very low heat, or until some of the lentils are completely mushy, while others still hold their shape.
4. Season with salt and pepper. If time allows, this soup benefits from allowing it to stand for an hour or so before serving to develop flavor. Just before serving, add a little more chopped parsley or cilantro, then heat through as needed
Variations:
Lentil-barley or lentil-rice soup: Add 1/3 cup pearl barley or brown rice when adding the lentils along with an additional cup of water, in place of the potato or sweet potato
Lentil soup with small noodles: In place of the potato or sweet potato, Cook 1 cup tiny shells or ditalini. Add to the soup with additional water as needed, and taste to correct seasonings.
Nutrition Information:
Per serving (made with sweet potatoes): 121 calories; 4g fat; 98 mg sodium; 19 g carbs; 6 g fiber; 4.6g protein
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