Winter seems to be holding on strong, let’s warm up with this quick and delicious Lentil Soup. Packed with protein and flavor, this has been a go-to weeknight dinner in my house.
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Pre Cooked VS Fresh Lentils
The main difference between pre cooked and fresh lentils is honestly, time. If you have the time to boil a lovely pot of fresh, go for it! Dried lentils are cost efficient and can sit in your pantry for a rainy day. My favorite is the Rancho Gordo French Green Lentils. I literally buy it in bulk so I always have it on hand! Here is a great rundown of how to cook lentils at home.
Pre cooked lentils are a fabulous option if you want this soup to come together quite quickly. I’ve found they are widely available at many grocery stores, and the texture is always perfect. You can find them at Trader Joes, Target, you name it.
Why I Love Lentils
There are many varieties of lentils, and they are all packed with protein! In 1 TBSP, you get 1.1 GRAMS of protein. Lentils are an amazing option if you regularly eat plant based, or are looking into mixing more plant based recipes into your diet. We covered all the benefits of a plant based diet here.
Let’s get cooking!
Equipment
- 1 Soup Pot
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Ladle
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Cooked Lentils
- 1 TBSP Olive Oil
- 1 Whole Leek Sliced
- 1 Red Onion Diced
- 4 Cloves Garlic Diced
- 2 TBSP Tomato Paste
- 2 TBSP Butter
- 2 TBSP Flour
- 1/2 Cup Red Wine
- 6 Cups Vegetable or Chicken Stock
- 1 Bay Leaf
- Parmesan Rinds If you have it, throw it in! It adds immense flavor.
- 1 Loaf Crusty Bread For dipping.
- Sour Cream Optional garnish.
Instructions
- Add oil, leek, and onion to the pot with a pinch of salt. Stir until onion has softened in color and is fragrant. Throw in the garlic and sauté for a minute.
- Once the alliums are soft, add tomato paste and let it cook down. About 2 minutes.
- Add butter. Once melted, add the flour and let it cook down. About 2 minutes.
- Add all liquids to the pot to deglaze. Once stirred through add cooked lentils and bay leaf and parmesan rinds, and bring to a simmer. The lentils are already cooked, you just want to let these flavors marry each other. Cook for about 10 minutes.
- Enjoy with crusty bread for dipping, and add a dollop of sour cream if you'd like.
