Hearty and Healthy Lentil Soup Recipe

Lentil soup is a fantastic dish that is both hearty and healthy. It’s packed with protein and fiber, making it a satisfying meal that will keep you feeling full for hours. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile and can be easily customized to your taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 cup green lentils, rinsed
• 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional toppings: Chopped fresh parsley, lemon wedges, crusty bread

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the garlic, cumin, coriander, thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using), and cook for 1 minute more.
3. Add the lentils, broth, tomatoes, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30-35 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve hot, topped with chopped parsley, lemon wedges, and crusty bread.

Tips:

• You can use any type of lentils you like for this soup. Green lentils are a good choice because they hold their shape well, but brown lentils or black lentils will also work.
• If you don’t have vegetable broth or chicken broth, you can use water instead. However, the soup will have a less flavorful broth.
• Feel free to add other vegetables to the soup, such as potatoes, zucchini, or spinach.
• For a thicker soup, you can puree some of the cooked lentils with an immersion blender or in a food processor.
• This soup is even better the next day, so feel free to make a big batch and enjoy it for leftovers.

Lentil soup is a great meal to make on a cold day. It’s also a budget-friendly option, as lentils are a very affordable protein source. And best of all, it’s delicious!

I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Additional tips:

• For a smoky flavor, you can add a smoked paprika or a smoked sausage to the soup.
• If you like your soup spicy, you can add more red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeno pepper.
• For a creamy soup, you can add a dollop of yogurt or sour cream to each bowl.
• You can also make this soup in a slow cooker. Simply combine all of the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

With a little creativity, you can easily make this lentil soup your own. So get cooking and enjoy!