How to Make Hearty Lentil Soup

Lentil soup is a thick, nutritious soup full of vegetables and lentils.

Lentil soup is a hearty, filling soup suitable for cold weather or whenever comfort food is wanted. Lentil soup is made with a basic recipe that is easy to adjust and add to based on your preferences and tastes. Most meats can add flavor to this soup, especially sausage and ham. For vegetarians, meatless lentil soup is the basic recipe and is still a filling, healthy recipe that provides fiber and other nutrients.

Things You'll Need

• Large pot
• Spoon
• 3 cups rinsed, raw green lentils
• 3 qts. water
• 2 strips of seaweed
• 2 tbsp. canola oil
• 1 large chopped yellow onion
• 3 large chopped carrots
• 2 to 3 tsp. balsamic vinegar
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

1. Place the lentils into a large pot with the water and bring it to a boil. Use a spoon to skim any foam that develops on top of the water surface.

2. Lower the heat to a medium low and add the seafood. Let simmer for one hour, or until the lentils are tender.

3. Heat the canola oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the chopped onions and cook until they are soft, which takes about eight minutes.

4. Put carrots in the skillet and keep cooking until the carrots start becoming tender. Take the skillet off of the heat and put it aside on a heat-proof surface.

5. Add the carrot and onion combination to the pot 20 minutes before the lentils are done. After the lentils are tender, stir in the salt, pepper, and vinegar. Serve in bowls with fresh bread or a side salad.

Tips & Warnings

• Smoked sausage and ham add flavor to this soup if added while cooking.

References

• Farmgirl Fare; Hearty Lentil Soup Recipe with Carrots, Tomatoes & Smoked Sausage; Farmgirl Susan; 2005
• Epicurious; Hearty Lentil and Ham Soup Recipe; Condé Nast Digital; 2011
• Whole Foods Market; Hearty Lentil Soup; Whole Foods Market IP, L.P.; 2011