Monday, January 31, 2011

Easy Lentil Soup


  Can you believe that the school year is half over? It seems to me that it just started, but our new semester began today. Last Friday was a work day for teachers, and also the day of our second annual Soup Swap/ Luncheon.  All morning you could smell  simmering goodness coming from crock-pots plugged in throughout the building. It made doing report cards just a little bit easier knowing that the aromas wafting through the halls were previews of what was to come once lunchtime rolled around! While we watched the snow coming down outside, we relaxed and enjoyed a wonderfully diverse assortment of delectable soups, breads and desserts.

 My contribution this year was a Hearty Lentil Soup. Lentils are a nutritional powerhouse, packing 18 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber in just one cup! There's less than one gram of fat per serving and absolutely no cholesterol in this heart healthy legume. What I really love about lentils is that they don't need to soak before cooking, which makes them a great choice for dinner when you haven't planned ahead of time. (Not that I'd know anything about that.) Most of your "hands on" time is just a bit of chopping, and then you can sit back and relax while the lentils simmer. Or you could use that time to make some homemade tortillas-a perfect accompaniment to this dish that's as easy on your heart as it is on your pocketbook. :)


Lentil Soup
recipe adapted slightly from Alton Brown
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons olive oil (I used 1 tablespoon)
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
2 teaspoons kosher salt (I used less than this.)
1 pound lentils, picked and rinsed-I used the regular brown lentils for this soup
1 cup peeled and chopped tomatoes (I used 1 can of diced tomatoes.)
2 quarts broth, vegetable or chicken (I used low sodium)
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground grains of paradise- I did not have this spice, but I substituted a mixture of black pepper, cardamom and ginger.
Directions
  • Heat olive oil in a soup pot or dutch oven, over medium heat. 
  • Add onions, carrot, celery and salt and "sweat" until the onions are translucent, about 6-7 minutes.
  • Add spices and cook one more minute, stirring
  • Add lentils, tomatoes and broth and stir to combine.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer 35-40 minutes or until lentils are tender.
  • Use a stick blender and puree to desired consistency.
I'm sharing this post with:

hearthandsoulgirlichef


58 comments:

  1. Oh, that looks so tasty and comforting on this last day of January. I love lentil soups, and I'd love to try this one. And what a lovely idea to have a soup swap at school! Sounds like something to suggest at my school.

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  2. Ooh I love lentil soup. Thanks so much for sharing with Vegan/Meatless Mondays!

    Kristi @
    Veggie Converter

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  3. This is just what I need right now! Looks delicious!

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  4. I'm with you on loving the ease of preparing a hearty veggie filled lentil soup:-) Beautiful photo, looks like a great recipe that I will give a try, thanks;-)

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  5. This recipe looks great! I may substitute in black eyed peas as I have them in stock. Maybe I'll make this on Wednesday when the big storm's supposed to hit Chicago...

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  6. I love soups like this. As you said, you can do the preparation and then let them simmer away!

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  7. Yum! My MIL makes something like this and wew really enjoy it!

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  8. Mmmm this would go so well with buttered bread. Even better, buttered HOMEMADE bread. YUM I love this soup. Warms the tummy!

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  9. You are the third blogger friend making lentil soup this week and your looks fantastic! Now I have the urge.I've never made this kind of soup; but will pick some up when I go to the supermarket,

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  10. This soup looks really good. I would really enjoy it especially in this cold weather.

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  11. Lovely sharing post.
    Long, cold winters always call out for awesome soups ♥

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  12. I love a good pot of soup, and since we've got a blizzard here today, a bowl of this would be perfect:)

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  13. It must have been revelatory to walk around the school that day...all those good smells.

    I love lentil soup and the spices in this sound wonderful!

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  14. This is also one of my favorite soups. It is so hearty. Would fit perfectly in today (it is -12 F outside). Thanks for the idea. Kirsten

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  15. I've just started using lentils in the last year or so - I've got to try this!

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  16. This lentil soup looks delicious, and I love the word "easy"...perfect for the cold weather, very comforting :-)

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  17. Perfect on a cold day! And "easy" is the magic word. Love the idea of a soup swap.

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  18. love filling soups like this a complete meal

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  19. I just love lentil soup, this looks great to warm me up.

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  20. Love it! Thank you for posting this one--I'm always looking for new soup recipes to make with lentils. I honestly don't think I ever make the same one twice! This looks super healthy, and will be perfect for a big pot on Sunday to last me all week for lunches at work :)

    Hope you're having a great day!

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  21. Healthy and yummy soup, love the substitution you've made....

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  22. What a darling blog! And I can't wait to make this soup, it sounds delicious and perfect for a winters night.

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  23. I love the spices combination of this soup. I love lentil soup and this versions sounds amazing. Great pictures!

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  24. This is like the health food which doesn't compromise on taste!

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  25. Lentil Soup IS an amazing invention :). Great recipe! Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

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  26. I'd be all over this soup swap luncheon! I love lentil soup and Alton Brown. This looks like a winner to me!

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  27. I agree, this year is just flying by! Your lentil soup looks fantastic...definitely one of my favorites and a winter staple in my house!

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  28. I just bought a pack of lentils because I'm on a mission to cook new things. It's been sitting in my pantry for a couple of weeks now. I'm going to try this recipe - it looks delicious!

    Just found your blog and read through a few of the posts. That pink snowball cake is out of this world! cheers, mari

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  29. I just started my spring semester, too! Studying will be so much better when I reward myself with this delicious soup!

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  30. This would be the perfect ending to my shoveling the driveway of 14" of snow....Wow!

    Thanks for sharing at the hearth and soul hop.

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  31. That sounds like such a nice day, trying different soups. I love lentils and lentil soup but have never made it. I would love to try it. Thanks for sharing it:)

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  32. What a fun way to make a tedious job easier. I'm sure the school smelled fabulous. Love your little soup crock.

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  33. Your lentil soup looks wonderful. I adore lentils. A soup swap sounds so fun!

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  34. Hard to believe half the school year is over. This soup looks comforting and delicious! I eat lentils all year round. Love the spices in this soup...will try it next time:)

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  35. Lentil is one of my favorite soups...wonderful recipe, and I love the ginger add :) Yes hard to believe the school year is half over, but how fun that you all do a soup luncheon :)

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  36. Lentil soup and homemade flour tortillas sound so good right now! Lentils are such a wonderful legume. Not only do they taste great...but they are so good for you too! This bowl looks just delicious, my friend. I hope you are warm and happy on this cold winter night. Sweet dreams and many blessings!

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  37. Easy and delicious! A sure winner and keeper.

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  38. Grains of paradise - has to be Alton Brown! I have seen this episode and I still have no idea what that is! The soup however looks absolutely delicious! Perfect and warming and comforting!

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  39. A very comfort bowl of soup, your presentation of the soup with crackers and fruits looks lovely.
    I checked your chicken bistillas also looks amazing, I have to try that :)

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  40. I like Alton Brown's recipes too! The lentil soup is something I enjoy very much during the winter season.

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  41. Easy, healthy & delicious - you have it all in this lentil soup. Love it girl!

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  42. This is definitely a hearty soup. Wish I had a big bowl of it now. What a fun thing to do on your work day at school and I bet yours was a hit!!!

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  43. Oh! I've always wanted to participate in a Soup Swap! What a wonderful day that must've been. Your lentil soup sounds awesome :D Thank you for sharing it w/ the hearth and soul hop this week.

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  44. lentils are the primo soup legume--i love how quickly they rehydrate and all that they add to a batch of soup. great recipe!

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  45. This is my kind of soup for our coming winter...Better bookmark this to prepare for our coming winter.

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  46. Great photo! This looks awesome!

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  47. Oh yeah , Christmas is just over and its already Valentines now:-)
    I can imagine all that aroma ...what a wonderful swap!
    This looks both hearty and delicious and i totally loveee that!
    And sooo healthy too!IT couldn get better than that!
    And that pot is cuteeeeee, which one is that?
    Happy day babe!

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  48. this looks unreal- I love lentils!

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  49. I should really use my slow cooker more often! This looks delicious. Love lentils, but am not cooking them often enough! Should incorporate more beans in my meals!

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  50. I usually add lentils to most of my veggie soups. I do however soak them just a little bit in case of left over residue. Even the organic ones have shown a sliver of film once and a while!

    Betty...Thank you for sharing this version because it may inspire me to make the lentil the star of the soup next time ;o)

    Flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

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  51. I am a recent convert to Alton Brown's lentil soup and am so glad you're a fan as well! I love that there are so many good things in there! :)

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  52. This looks wonderful and your picture is fantastic. I love lentil soup and its hard to make it look appetizing but you did a great job on that.

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  53. I love lentil soup! Yours sound really delicious!!!

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  54. What a glorious soup. It looks wonderfully hearty and perfect for a winter evening. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  55. We're going into another rainy spell and it's time to bring out the soup pot again. Lentil is one of my favorites and I may even add a ham bone to the pot this time. Your version looks fantastic!

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  56. Me again :) I'm featuring your lentil soup recipe today! I hope you can stop by.

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  57. I definitely think I'll try this! Love new lentil recipes!

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Thanks for stopping by scrambled hen fruit! I appreciate all of your comments and look forward to reading them.

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