Cream Of Lentil Soup With Chorizo Croutes Recipes

LENTIL AND CHORIZO SOUP

Steps:

• Toast the chiles in a dry, cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until brown all over; they will soften, bubble and release their aroma .Place the chiles in a saucepan with the water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook 5 minutes, or until soft. Transfer the chiles with their water to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Reserve.
• Fry the bacon in large heavy stockpot over medium-high heat, about 4 minutes. Stir in the chorizo and saute 3 minutes longer, or until browned. Spoon out excess fat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden. Then stir in the garlic and cook for a few minutes to release its aroma. Add the lentils and reserved chile puree and saute an additional minute.
• Pour in the stock or water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook 10 minutes, occasionally skimming and removing the fat from the top. Stir in the carrots, celery, salt and pepper. Cook over medium-low heat, covered, for about 40 minutes, skimming and discarding the fat from the top. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and cilantro and serve hot, with the lime wedges if desired.

CREAM OF LENTIL SOUP WITH CHORIZO CROUTES

Steps:

• Soak the lentils in cold water for 2 hours. Drain the lentils, and put them in a pot with the carrot, onion, bay leaf, thyme sprig, and stock. Cover the pot and simmer until very tender, about 45 minutes.
• Discard the herbs, and let the lentils cool somewhat, then puree in a blender along with the vegetables, working in 2 batches to avoid an explosive mess.
• Cook's Note: Remember that if you put something too hot into a blender you may crack it.
• For a very smooth soup, strain it, although it's not necessary. Add salt and pepper, to taste, along with a squeeze of lemon if you like. Gently reheat the soup.
• Heat the olive oil in a small frying pan, and saute the chorizo slices until they curl, about 30 seconds. Turn and fry another 15 seconds. Serve the soup with the chorizo rounds on top and with some of the now bright-orange cooking oil spooned around.

CREAM OF LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the 4 cups of broth, lentils, bay leaf and clove. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until lentils are tender, 25-30 minutes., Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, saute onion and celery in butter until crisp-tender. Add the carrots, salt, sugar, curry powder and pepper; saute until vegetables are tender, 2-3 minutes longer . Add garlic; cook for 1 minute., Drain lentils; discard broth, bay leaf and clove. Add lentils to vegetable mixture. Stir in the spinach, remaining 2 cups broth, cream, lemon juice and parsley; cook over low heat until heated through and spinach is wilted.

SPICY CHORIZO AND RED LENTIL SOUP WITH KALE

Steps:

• Set a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo and cook, breaking the sausage into small pieces and stirring occasionally, until the chorizo is browned, about 8 minutes.
• Add the kale, onion, carrots, celery and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are just starting to become tender, about 5 minutes. You should hear a steady sizzle from the pot; adjust the heat as needed. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the chicken broth, tomatoes and lentils, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are soft.
• When ready to serve, taste and adjust the seasonings. Serve hot with crusty bread. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 7 days.