Garlicky Lentil Soup Recipes

THE BEST LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrot, onion, celery and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are starting to caramelize and take on a dark brown color, 8 to 10 minutes (this step is important as it will add tons of flavor to your soup!).
• Stir in the tomato paste and garlic and cook, scraping up the brown bits, until the garlic is fragrant and slightly softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add in the lentils, stock, 4 cups water, thyme, bay leaf, oregano, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, 2 teaspoons salt and a generous amount of black pepper and stir to combine. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the lentils are softened with just a bit of bite, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf. Puree 2 1/2 cups of the soup in a blender until smooth then stir back into the pot. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Ladle into bowls and garnish with more parsley.

PASTA AND LENTILS (PASTA E LENTICCHIE)

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 5 cups of water, the lentils, the thyme and bay leaves (if using). Partially cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until the lentils are al dente, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil over high. Add the pasta and cook, stirring often to keep the pasta from sticking to the pot, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 20 minutes. (It may take longer than the cook time on the package.) If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add more water, 1/4 cup at a time.
• Turn off the heat, discard the thyme and bay leaves, then stir in the Parmesan. Cover and let sit for 3 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Eat with more Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.

LENTIL SOUP WITH GARLICKY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onion, celery, carrots, and garlic with salt, stirring occasionally, until limp and browning, about 10 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a slow cooker with tomato sauce, lentils, water, broth, bay leaf, thyme, and vinegar. Cook on Low for 6 hours.
• For vinaigrette, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and salt.
• Taste soup for salt, then serve with a drizzle of vinaigrette over each bowl.

GARLIC LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Put the lentils, onions, garlic, carrot, oil, bay leaves, marjoram or oregano and stock into a large saucepan.
• Bring to the boil and then simmer gently for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Remove bay leaves and add the red wine vinegar as well as the salt and pepper to taste.
• You can thin the soup out if you like with a little stock or water before serving.
• To freeze: Freeze in a rigid container.
• To reheat: Thaw and heat through.

GARLICKY LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Slice garlic. In a 2-quart saucepan bring water to a boil with garlic, lentils, and thyme and simmer until lentils are tender, about 25 minutes. In a blender coarsely pur e mixture (use caution when blending hot liquids) and return to pan. Stir in parsley, salt, and pepper to taste and bring soup to a simmer.
• Serve soup drizzled with oil and vinegar.