Three Bean Lentil Soup Recipes

HEARTY LENTIL AND WHITE BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat, reserving 2 tablespoons in the stockpot; transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Add onion and carrot, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme and bay leaves until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chicken stock, lentils, wine and Parmesan rinds; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer until lentils are almost tender, about 12-15 minutes. Stir in cannellini beans and tomatoes until lentils are completely tender, about 10-15 minutes more. Serve immediately with bacon, garnished with parsley, if desired.

LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 2 minutes.
• Add celery and carrot. Cook for 7 - 10 minutes or until softened and the onion is sweet. Don't rush this step, it is key to the flavour base of the soup.
• Add all remaining ingredients except the lemon and salt. Stir.
• Increase heat and bring to simmer. Scoop scum on the surface off and discard (do this again during cooking if required). Place lid on and turn heat down to medium low. Simmer for 35 - 40 minutes or until lentils are soft.
• Remove bay leaves.
• Thicken Soup: Using a stick blender, do 2 or 3 quick whizzes to thicken the soup (see video below). Or transfer 2 cups to a blender, let it cool slightly, then hold lid with tea towel and blend then transfer back into pot.
• Add a touch of water if you want to adjust soup consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Grate over the zest of the lemon then add a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve with warm crusty bread slathered liberally with butter!

THREE-BEAN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat.
• Cook the onions, garlic, ginger and curry paste, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until softened.
• Add the tomatoes, chicken stock, water and lentils.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes or until the lentils are softened.
• Add the chick peas, kidney beans and black beans.
• Cook for 15 minutes or until heated through.
• Stir in the coriander, lemon juice, salt and pepper.