Ain't-So-plain Lentil Soup with Delicious Companions
Simple Lentil Stew Recipe
Get ready to wolf down a hearty bowl of lentil soup, packed with flavor and cooking up faster than its leguminous pals! This bad boy is perfect for whipping up some fillin' and tasty vegetarian soups, featuring aromatic veggies (onion, celery, and carrot) and tomato and spinach for an extra kick of taste and vitamins. Make your meal extra special with a batch of scrumptious Zucchini Brown-Butter Cornbread and a delightful mixed greens salad on the side.
Fancy color lentils are cool, but split red lentils and yellow lentils cook like a hot knife through butter and might fall apart in your soup. If you're after texture, stick with brown, green, black, or Puy lentils for this recipe.
Yield
6 servings
Difficulty
Simple as pie
Time
1 hr, 25 mins active
Ingredients (14)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Celery, carrot, onion, garlic, kosher salt, pepper, low-sodium vegetable broth, diced tomatoes with juices, lentils, bay leaf, thyme, vinegar, spinach
Craving something more than just soup? Here are some terrific side dish ideas to elevate your lentil soup experience:
- Crusty Whole Grain Bread: Dip into the delicious broth with some smokin' whole grain bread. It's the classic duo that tastes fabulous with lentils[1][4].
- Garlic Bread: Garlic bread offers an additional layer of flavor, perfect for those cozy meals[4].
- Salads: Jazz it up with a simple Arugula Salad or Healthy Caesar Salad for a refreshing contrast[3].
- Breadsticks: Two-ingredient breadsticks can bring a fun crunch to the feast[3].
- Herb Rice: Savor lentil soup with a side of easy baked rice, seasoned with parsley or dill for added zest[4].
- Roasted Vegetables: Compliment the hearty soup with Roasted Cauliflower Steak or Roasted Cauliflower Salad[2][3].
Instructions
- Warm that oil in a large saucepan over medium heat for 3 minutes. Toss in the celery, carrot, and onion, cook 'em until they're soft (about 10 minutes), stirring occasionally. For that last minute, chuck in the garlic; once it's fragrant, season with some salt and pepper.
- Add the broth, tomatoes, lentils, bay leaf, and thyme, stir it all up, then simmer until it reaches a boil (about 15 minutes). Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for another 15 minutes or until the lentils and veggies are soft.
- Now, taste that sucker, add more salt or pepper if needed, and stir in the vinegar. Fold in the spinach until it's all wilted. If you want a creamier texture, puree half the soup in a blender and add it back to the pot.
Serve your hearty Ain't-So-plain Lentil Soup with the added scrumptiousness of Zucchini Brown-Butter Cornbread to enhance the dining experience. For a more complete meal, consider serving brown lentils, suitable for this recipe, alongside the soup. To further elevate your lentil soup experience, consider side dish options such as flavored garlic bread or a refreshing mixed greens salad. Additionally, you may choose to add a creamier texture to your soup by pureeing half of it in a blender.
