Are you ready to embrace a bowl of warmth and nutrition? Dive into the heartwarming world of homemade lentil soup, a comforting dish that’s not only delicious but also packed with protein and essential nutrients. Here’s a recipe to make a supremely hearty lentil soup.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of dried green or brown lentils
- 1 large onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 tin of diced tomatoes
- 6 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 2 cups of spinach or kale
- Juice of one lemon (optional)
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and continue to sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), and rinsed lentils. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Add chopped spinach or kale to the soup and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the greens are wilted.
- Adjust seasoning to taste and squeeze in lemon juice if desired for a bright, refreshing finish. Serve your lentil soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil.
