Lentil soup is hearty and nutritious, with lentils as the main ingredient. Lentils are a type of legume high in protein, fiber, and other important nutrients. Lentil soup is a popular dish in many cultures, and the recipe has many variations.
Here are some detailed notes on the lentil soup recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of dry lentils (green, brown, or red)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 cups of vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- Rinse the lentils in cold water and drain them.
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onions, garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the carrots and celery and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add the cumin, paprika, thyme, and bay leaf and stir to combine.
- Add the lentils and broth to the pot and stir.
- Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let the soup simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
- Remove the bay leaf and discard.
- Use an immersion blender or transfer the soup to a blender to puree it until smooth.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or cilantro.
Tips:
- Lentil soup can be made with different types of lentils, but green or brown lentils are recommended because they hold their shape better and have a firmer texture than red lentils soup.
- Add other vegetables to the soup, such as potatoes, tomatoes, or spinach.
- If you prefer a chunkier soup, you can skip the blending step and serve the soup as is.
- Lentil soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
BEST LENTIL SOUP RECIPE
Here's a delicious easy lentil soup recipe that you can try:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Directions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent about 5 minutes.
- Add the carrots and celery and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add the lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir to combine.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
- Remove the bay leaf and discard. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
- Enjoy your delicious lentil soup!
INSTANT POT LENTIL SOUP
Instant Pot lentil soup is a delicious and easy-to-make soup
that can be ready in under an hour. Here's a recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of dried lentils (green or brown)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 4 cups of vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 can (14 oz) of diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- Rinse the lentils in cold water and drain them.
- Turn on the Instant Pot to the sauté function and add the olive oil.
- Add the onions, garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the carrots and celery and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add the cumin, paprika, and thyme and stir to combine.
- Add the lentils, broth, and diced tomatoes to the Instant Pot and stir.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
- Cook on high pressure for 20-25 minutes (depending on the type of lentils you use). Use the quick-release method to release the pressure.
- Remove the lid and stir the soup.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or cilantro.
Tips:
- You can use the Instant Pot to sauté the vegetables before cooking the soup, which saves time and reduces the number of dishes to clean.
- Add diced or sweet potatoes to the recipe to fill the soup.
- You can also use canned lentils instead of dried ones, reducing the cooking time.
- If the soup is too thick, add more broth or water to thin it out.
MOROCCAN LENTIL SOUP
Moroccan lentil soup is a flavorful and aromatic soup popular in Moroccan cuisine. It is typically made with lentils, vegetables,
and Moroccan spices. Here's a recipe for healthy lentil soup:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of dried red lentils
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric
- 4 cups of vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 can (14 oz) of diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- Rinse the lentils in cold water and drain them.
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onions, garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the carrots and celery and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric, and combine.
- Add the lentils, broth, and diced tomatoes to the pot and stir.
- Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let the soup simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Tips:
- You can add other vegetables to the soup, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, or bell peppers.
- Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to make the soup spicier.
- You can also add a can of chickpeas to the recipe to make the soup more filling.
- Add coconut milk or heavy cream splash to make the soup creamier.
VEGAN LENTIL SOUP RECIPE
Here's a delicious and easy vegan lentil soup recipe that is
packed with plant-based protein and nutrients:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of dried green or brown lentils
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 can (14 oz) of diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Rinse the lentils in cold water and drain them.
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onions, garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the carrots and celery and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano and stir to combine.
- Add the lentils, broth, and diced tomatoes to the pot and stir.
- Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let the soup simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Tips:
- You can add other vegetables to the soup, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, or zucchini.
- Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to make the soup spicier.
- You can also add a can of chickpeas or white beans to the recipe to make the soup more filling.
- Add coconut milk or cashew cream splash to make the soup creamier.
HEALTHY LENTIL RECIPES FOR WEIGHT
LOSS
Lentils are a nutritious and filling ingredient that can
help with weight loss goals. Here are some healthy lentil recipes for weight
loss:
Lentil Salad with
Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 2 cups of mixed vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant, chopped
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Spread the chopped vegetables on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
- Roast the vegetables for 20-25 minutes or until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Meanwhile, cook the lentils in a pot of boiling water for 20-25 minutes or until tender but firm.
- Drain the lentils and rinse them under cold water.
- Mix the cooked lentils in a large bowl with roasted vegetables, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Serve the lentil salad warm or cold.
Lentil Soup with
Spinach and Lemon
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 can (14 oz) of diced tomatoes
- 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves, chopped
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large pot, sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil until soft.
- Add the carrots and celery and cook for a few minutes.
- Add the lentils, broth, and diced tomatoes and boil.
- Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
- Add the spinach and lemon juice to the pot and stir.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the lentil soup hot.
Lentil and
Vegetable Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 2 cups of mixed vegetables, such as broccoli, bell peppers, and mushrooms, chopped
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon of grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the lentils in a pot of boiling water for 20-25 minutes or until tender but firm.
- Drain the lentils and rinse them under cold water.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the mixed vegetables to the skillet and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes or until tender but still crisp.
- Add the cooked lentils and soy sauce to the skillet and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes.
- Season the stir-fry with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the lentil and vegetable stir-fry hot.
Tips:
- You can vary the vegetables used in these recipes to include your favorites.
- You can also add spices and herbs to taste for extra flavor.
- To make these recipes even healthier, use low-sodium broth and seasonings, and limit added oils and salt.
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