Nutritious and Flavorful Lentil Soup
This lentil soup is a robust blend of green or brown lentils, carrots, celery, and aromatic herbs simmered in a savory broth. It's thick and hearty, making it a perfect meal for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried green or brown lentils rinsed
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 medium carrots diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 1 can 14 oz diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth or water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add Lentils and Spices: Add the rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes (with juice), cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the Soup: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 30-35 minutes or until lentils are tender.
- Blend (Optional): For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to blend some of the soup, leaving some lentils intact for texture.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy with crusty bread or a side salad.
Notes
- Calories: 200kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 30g