French Lentil + Veggie Soup
Submitted by: Rockie and Mike Alden
I LOVE homemade soups, especially healthy ones! This soup provides great nutrition and tastes great. Adapted from an Ina Garten recipe, this soup can easily adjust to your preferences and ingredients on hand. Plus it makes a big batch and you can easily put in jars and freeze or share with others.
I serve it on the side one night, then we have it for lunch the next day and I either freeze or give away the rest. These days it warms my heart to share with others sheltering in place.
Option: Add shredded chicken, sausage meatball to serve as main course with salad and cornbread.
French Lentil + Veggie Soup
(Serves 12 people)
Ingredients
1 pound French Green lentils*
Boiling water
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 large onions, chopped
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 large leaks, cleaned and sliced up to and including light green part
Optional: any dark greens you have such as Swiss chard, spinach, etc.
Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
1 Tablespoon thyme
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon cayenne or to taste
8 celery ribs, diced
6 medium carrots, diced
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
3 quarts chicken stock or vegetable broth
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 Tablespoons dry red wine or red wine vinegar
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese or your favorite cheese
Optional: garnish with fresh parsley and cilantro, pumpkin seeds, sour cream, Greek plain yogurt
Instructions:
In large heat-proof bowl, cover lentils with boiling water and let stand 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in large pot. Add onion, garlic, leeks, and spices. Cook over medium heat stirring occasionally until veggies are tender, about 20-30 minutes.
Add celery, mushrooms and carrots and cook about 10-20 minutes until softened. Add chicken stock, tomato paste and lentils. Turn heat high, cover and bring to a boil. Uncover and cook at reduced heat for about an hour. Stir in red wine or vinegar.
Check and adjust seasonings. Serve hot with a drizzle of olive oil and cheese and other toppings.
*You can find French green lentils in some grocery stores or online or you can substitute other lentils (I.e. Puy lentils) are really high in soluble fiber, good for fighting cholesterol, and less starchy than brown lentils.