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A steaming bowl of hearty lentil soup garnished with herbs.

Best way to grow heartier Lentil Soup: 3 tips Lentil Soup

This recipe focuses on making a more substantial lentil soup. It provides three key tips to enhance the richness and heartiness of your lentil soup, ensuring a satisfying and flavorful meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup Lentils dried
  • 6 cups Vegetable broth
  • 2 medium Carrots diced
  • 2 medium Celery stalks diced
  • 1 medium Onion diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tbsp Tomato paste
  • 14.5 oz Diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups Spinach fresh, chopped
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
For Extra Heartiness (Optional)
  • 1 medium Potatoes peeled and diced
  • 1 cup Kale chopped
  • 0.5 tsp Smoked paprika
Garnish
  • Fresh parsley chopped
  • Crusty bread for serving

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Dutch oven
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Ladle

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold water and set them aside.
  2. Dice the carrots, celery, and onion, then mince the garlic; set all prepared vegetables aside.
Cooking
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, then sauté the diced carrots, celery, and onion until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, and diced tomatoes, bringing the mixture to a boil before reducing heat to a simmer.
  4. Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally.
  5. For heartier soup, add diced potatoes and smoked paprika during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.
  6. Stir in fresh spinach (and kale if using) during the last 5 minutes, allowing it to wilt.
  7. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Serving
  1. Ladle the hot lentil soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with crusty bread.

Notes

To make your lentil soup even heartier, consider adding roasted vegetables, such as sweet potatoes or butternut squash, for extra depth and texture. Another tip is to blend a portion of the cooked soup to create a creamier base without adding actual cream, providing a thicker consistency. Finally, incorporating a smoky element, like a dash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika, can add a rich, savory layer that enhances the overall heartiness of the soup.