Lentil Soup, Seven Ways

Lentils make soup making easy—they cook quickly and are incredibly tasty. This lentil soup recipe is nicely balanced with simple vegetables, unlike many lentil soups that can be too thick. The lentils break down slightly during cooking, giving the soup a hearty consistency, but you can also choose to purée it if desired. Here, we provide variations to the basic lentil soup recipe to create seven delicious options.

Servings: 4

Preparation Time: About 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 1 celery stalk, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 1 cup lentils, washed and picked over
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 cups chicken, beef, or vegetable stock (or water)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large, deep pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, for about a minute or two.
3. Add the diced carrot and celery, and continue cooking and stirring until they become brightly colored and hot, for about 2 minutes.
4. Add the lentils, bay leaf, and stock to the pot. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender, for about 30 minutes. If the soup becomes too thick, add more stock.
6. Just before serving, taste the soup and sprinkle with salt and more pepper if needed. Serve hot.

VARIATIONS:

• Lentil Soup with Lemon and Dill: About a minute before serving, stir in 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Add 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill, or to taste.
• Lentil Soup with Cumin: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin along with the bay leaf. Optionally, squeeze in some lime or orange juice. Garnish with a dollop of yogurt and chopped fresh cilantro.
• Lentil Soup with Smoked Paprika: Add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika along with the bay leaf. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives.
• Lentil Soup with Sausage or Bacon: Start by cooking about 1/4 pound chopped sausage, bacon, or pancetta in the soup pot until slightly crisp before adding the other ingredients in Step 1. Optionally, drain the fat or use it and omit the olive oil.
• Lentil Soup with Roasted Garlic: Omit the onion, carrot, and celery. Prepare and peel 1 or 2 heads of Roasted Garlic. In Step 1, cook the garlic in the olive oil for a minute or two, mashing and stirring until fragrant.
• Lentil Soup with Dried Tomatoes: Omit the onion, carrot, and celery. Prepare and peel 1 or 2 heads of Roasted Garlic. In Step 1, cook the garlic in the olive oil for a minute or two, mashing and stirring until fragrant.

With these seven variations, you can transform a basic lentil soup into a versatile and flavorful dish. Whether you prefer the brightness of lemon and dill, the warmth of cumin, the smokiness of paprika, the richness of sausage or bacon, the depth of roasted garlic, or the tanginess of dried tomatoes, there’s a lentil soup option to suit every taste. Explore these variations and let your creativity shine in the kitchen. Enjoy the comforting and nourishing goodness of lentil soup in all its delightful forms!