Name: Lentil Soup Benefits: Discover the Health Advantages of This Nutritious Dish
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 cup dried lentils (green or brown); 1 medium onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 medium carrots, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice; 6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth); 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 bay leaf; Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

Description

This hearty lentil soup combines lentils, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices simmered in a rich broth, creating a nutritious and filling dish perfect for any day of the week. Enjoy a warm bowl of comfort!

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup dried lentils (green or brown)
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 bay leaf
Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Rinse the lentils in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water to remove dust and debris.
Check for small stones or damaged lentils while rinsing and remove any found.
Soak lentils for about 30 minutes to help them cook faster, then drain and rinse again (optional).
Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into small, even pieces.
Finely mince the garlic cloves.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
Add diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
Toss in diced carrots and celery, cooking for another 5-7 minutes until softened.
Add ground cumin, ground coriander, and smoked paprika, stirring for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices.
Stir in rinsed lentils and diced tomatoes (with juice).
Add vegetable broth and bay leaf, stirring to combine.
Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.
After 25 minutes, check lentils for tenderness, continuing to simmer if needed.
Remove bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste.
For a creamier texture, blend a portion of the soup using an immersion blender or a regular blender (optional).
Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired.

Notes

For added flavor, consider adding a splash of lemon juice before serving.
This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes