This recipe came from Kim of What I Really Think. Actually it's Kim's mother's recipe, and it's a good one.
All bean soups are great but lentil soup is particularly easy because you don't have to soak the lentils first, and they cook more quickly than other beans. Recipe and my notes are below.
And it's the end of our February Blog-Everyday challenge! It's been a lot of fun, and I've enjoyed reading everyone's blogs and making some new friends this month. To me, blogging is all about sharing and community, and I'm very grateful to everyone who's read and commented on my blog this month.
Kim writes:
Lentil Soup
1 Cup Lentils
4 1/2 Cups Chicken broth/stock (I use the fat free stuff)
2 1/2 sprigs parsley -- snipped
1 bay leaf
12 ounces tomato -- crushed (I use canned)
2 stalks celery -- chopped
2 sticks carrot -- sliced
1 onion -- chopped
2 cloves garlic - minced
1 teaspoon thyme (dried)
1. cook until vegetables are tender, 1 1/2 - 2 hours
Seriously, that's how my mother gave it to me. But basically, she just throws it all into a pot, brings to a boil and then lets it simmer. I often double it and freeze it.
My notes:
Use dried lentils (rinse them first but no need to soak them).
I only cooked this for 45 minutes. The lentils were done by then and I was hungry!
I sauteed the onions and other veggies in some olive oil before I added the lentils and broth. I added some chopped Swiss Chard and some Sriracha sauce for kick.
Comments (10)
Great shot of a delicious sounding soup. I LOVE lentil soup! I make it very often as it is also my family's favorite soup. So easy and nutritious.
Posted by Maria I. | March 1, 2009 10:03 AM
Posted on March 1, 2009 10:03
This is a comfort food for me - crazy? guess it's just being Italian. Looks yummy.
Posted by menehune | March 1, 2009 5:19 PM
Posted on March 1, 2009 17:19
Hi Maria, this version is really good. I like the flavor the tomato gives it.
M, I agree completely - it's comfort food for sure.
Posted by Annie | March 1, 2009 6:37 PM
Posted on March 1, 2009 18:37
YUM - this was a great soup. I used a similar technique as yours. I will have to try it with the beans now.
How long did you soak them for?
Posted by Jerry | March 1, 2009 9:06 PM
Posted on March 1, 2009 21:06
Jerry, I did a quick soak (brought them to a boil, then took them off the heat and put a lid on the pot and let them sit for about an hour). I used Trader Joe's 17-bean mix and it came out great.
Posted by Annie | March 1, 2009 10:16 PM
Posted on March 1, 2009 22:16
Hi Annie, your soup looks very delicious. I love all the veggies.
I totally enjoyed the Blog Challenge and you're so right. It was a fantastic way of sharing as a community!
I'm wondering if it snowed today? If it did I bet this delicious hot soup was the perfect way to stay warm. Thanks for this post Annie and have a great evening!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | March 1, 2009 10:38 PM
Posted on March 1, 2009 22:38
Congratulations on finishing February blogging! Great job. It is always a real treat to read your blog.
Posted by Chiocciola | March 2, 2009 12:28 AM
Posted on March 2, 2009 00:28
Kathy, yes we got a ton of snow last night and I'm snowed in! Yay! And you're right, I'm glad I've got some soup in the fridge that I can heat up later.
Chiocciola, thank you. I've really enjoyed learning so much about Norway from your blog this month. It seems like February just flew by!
Posted by Annie | March 2, 2009 8:43 AM
Posted on March 2, 2009 08:43
Yay!! We did it! It was much harder this year but also very rewarding to get to know new bloggers and old bloggers a little better. Thanks for starting this :) The soup looks yummy!! One of these days, I really need to make one of the slow souper soups! I better hurry though before it gets too hot.
Posted by girasoli | March 3, 2009 5:00 AM
Posted on March 3, 2009 05:00
Girasoli, it was challenging with so many participants this year but it was a lot of fun overall. And yes, it won't be soup weather for too much longer (though you'd never know it today here in NC, it's freezing out there!).
Posted by Annie | March 3, 2009 8:38 AM
Posted on March 3, 2009 08:38