Description
Warming Mediterranean “Hearty Lentil and Potato Soup” delivers comfort in each spoonful, drawing inspiration from rustic Italian countryside cooking. Mediterranean herbs and slow-simmered ingredients create a nourishing bowl perfect for chilly evenings when you crave soul-satisfying sustenance.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 3 medium potatoes, diced
- 8 cups (1.9 liters) vegetable broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale (optional)
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cleanse lentils thoroughly under running water, ensuring all debris is removed. Prepare a mise en place by dicing potatoes, finely chopping onions, carrots, and celery, and mincing garlic cloves into uniform pieces.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate heat. Introduce chopped aromatics (onions, carrots, celery, and garlic) and gently sauté until vegetables soften and onions turn translucent, releasing their fragrant essence.
- Incorporate diced potatoes and rinsed lentils into the vegetable mixture. Allow ingredients to intermingle, developing a rich flavor base through gentle cooking.
- Stream vegetable broth into the pot, then sprinkle dried thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Thoroughly blend ingredients, creating a harmonious liquid foundation. Escalate heat to achieve a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Allow soup to quietly bubble, transforming lentils and potatoes into tender morsels. This process typically requires 25-30 minutes of patient cooking. Periodically taste and calibrate seasoning, adjusting salt and pepper to personal preference.
- When vegetables reach perfect tenderness, carefully ladle the hearty soup into serving bowls. Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish. Complement the meal with crusty bread or a crisp side salad for a complete dining experience.
Notes
- Rinse lentils thoroughly to prevent gritty texture and remove any small stones or debris that might affect the soup’s smoothness.
- Select firm potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes which hold their shape better during long cooking and provide a creamy, satisfying consistency.
- Consider adding smoked paprika or a splash of red wine vinegar at the end to deepen the flavor profile and bring brightness to the hearty soup.
- Adapt for dietary needs by using low-sodium vegetable broth for salt-sensitive diets or replacing herbs with gluten-free alternatives if required.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg