Lentil Soup
Savor the simple pleasures with our Lentil Soup, a quick and easy delight that transforms pantry staples into a luxurious bowl of comfort. Ready in under an hour, this soup combines the earthy depth of lentils with the aromatic warmth of spices, all rounded off with a splash of lemon for that perfect zest. Ideal for any day of the week, it's a nourishing must-have for your culinary repertoire.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow or white onion chopped
- 2 carrots peeled and chopped
- 4 garlic cloves pressed or minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 large can 28 ounces diced tomatoes, lightly drained
- 1 cup brown or green lentils picked over and rinsed
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt more to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup chopped fresh collard greens or kale
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice ½ to 1 medium lemon, to taste
Instructions
- Start with Oil: In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until it shines and is ready for cooking.
- Cook Onion and Carrot: Throw in the onion and carrot, stirring them often, until the onion looks softened and is on the verge of turning translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Quickly add garlic, cumin, curry powder, and thyme, stirring non-stop for roughly 30 seconds until the aroma fills the kitchen.
- Tomatoes Go In: Add the diced tomatoes, continuing to stir frequently, allowing their flavors to deepen for a few minutes.
- Lentils and Liquids: Introduce the lentils, vegetable broth, and water to the pot. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes, generously adding freshly ground black pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a lively boil, then reduce the heat to keep it at a steady simmer, partially covering the pot, for 25 to 30 minutes until the lentils are just right.
- Blend a Portion: Scoop out 2 cups of the soup to blend until smooth, then mix this back into the pot to thicken the soup. (Or, blend a part of the soup directly in the pot with an immersion blender.)
- Green it Up: Add the chopped greens, letting them cook until they reach your desired softness, about 5 minutes. Take the pot off the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, adjusting the taste with additional salt, pepper, and lemon juice as needed for a vibrant flavor.
- Ready to Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, serving it steaming hot for a comforting and heartwarming meal.