Lentil Soup with Mix-Ins

Lentil Soup with Mix-Ins

We enjoy eating soup all year round. Lentil soup is great in the summer because it cooks quickly and isn’t too heavy. This recipe uses just a few ingredients to create rich, fiery, flavor. Add a hand full or two of chopped fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley and mint into the soup or save them as part of the mix-ins so everyone can add their own amount and flavor combinations.

Lentil Soup Mix-Ins

I came up with the mix-ins to solve two issues: 1) No one in our family likes the same things in their soup. And 2) We needed to put a few random leftovers to good use. Creating a mix-in bar with whatever you have on hand will allow even the pickiest eater to make a dish to their liking. I hope it helps you make meal time a little more fun and enjoyable.

Lentil Soup with Mix-Ins

Hana Itzhaki
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course dinner, Soup
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 large Sweet Onion finely chopped
  • 3 Small Carrots finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
  • 1-2 tablespoons Harissa *see notes
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 cup Red Split Lentils
  • 1/2 cup Small Whole Green Lentils
  • 8-10 cups water

Mix-Ins

  • Small Pasta cooked
  • Rice cooked
  • Beans cooked
  • Whole Grains
  • Vegetables roasted or sautéed
  • Fresh herbs finely chopped
  • Cheese shredded or crumbled

Instructions
 

  • Put olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  • Add onions and carrots and stir to combine.
  • Add tomato paste, harissa, turmeric, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
  • Add lentils and water. Stir to combine.
  • Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until lentils are cooked through.
  • Serve soup in individual bowls. Top with mix-ins.

Notes

*Harissa is a North African pepper paste. Many different varieties are available. Some my be spicier than others so add a little at a time and taste to see if you want it spicier. I get mine from Le Market in Valley Village. They make it fresh weekly and sell it there.
Keyword custom, lentil, soup

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