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Flavorful Lentil Soup: Quick And Nourishing

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Eli

A quick hearty meal for a cold night, loaded with nutrients

Many years ago, when I first heard the word “lentil,” I imagined mushy, flavorless peas that one might find at a crunchy health food store. I now realize that this tiny food source is a powerhouse packed with nutrients!

With a little practice, I’ve learned to embrace lentils in the kitchen by combining them with spices and vegetables to create something that satisfies both your hunger and palate. I encourage you to give it a try, and let me know what your think below!

A close-up image of a hearty lentil and vegetable soup, featuring a rich broth with diced tomatoes, carrots, spinach, and seasonings.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Serves

4

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 1 fennel bulb, trimmed and diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, diced
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary
  • 1 – 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups chicken stock (or vegetable broth if vegetarian)
  • 1 cup uncooked brown lentils*, rinsed
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 4 cups spinach

Steps

1

Heat the oil in a large pot on medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and fennel and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.

2

Add the garlic and rosemary and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

3

Stir in tomatoes with juices, broth, lentils, salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil.

4

Reduce heat, and simmer with a lid on until lentils are tender and flavors combined, about 20-30 minutes.

5

Turn off heat and stir in parsley and spinach until wilted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Ladle into individual bowls, serve with a crusty bread, and enjoy! The leftovers makes a great lunch for the next day.

Why I love this recipe:

Besides being delicious,

  • The lentils provide a generous dose of protein, along with B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and iron.

Notes:

  • This can be made in advanced and stored in a refrigerated glass container. Reheat on the stovetop on medium-low heat until warmed through.
  • You are welcome to use a different type of lentil, as there are many varieties. Check your package for suggested cooking times.