Description
Hearty lentil soup brings warmth to cold evenings, blending Mediterranean flavors with rich, comforting ingredients. Each spoonful delivers a nourishing embrace that connects you to the soul-soothing traditions of simple, wholesome cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 2 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 cup butternut squash, cubed
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup kale or spinach, chopped
Protein and Grains:
- 1 cup (150 grams) cooked or canned chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
- 1 cup (150 grams) cooked or canned white beans (rinsed and drained)
- ½ cup (75 grams) pearl barley or orzo pasta (optional, for a thicker soup)
Seasonings and Liquid:
- 6 cups (1.5 liters) vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Ignite a culinary warmth by sautéing a medley of diced onions, minced garlic, julienned carrots, and finely chopped celery in a robust glug of olive oil. Allow the aromatics to soften and release their fragrant essence over medium heat, creating a flavor foundation for the forthcoming winter soup.
- Introduce cubed potatoes and butternut squash to the sizzling landscape, generously coating them with an ensemble of spices – smoky paprika, earthy thyme, robust rosemary, and a whisper of chili flakes for subtle heat. Gently toast the spices to amplify their nuanced profiles.
- Cascade vegetable broth into the pot, elevating the ingredients to a vigorous boil before reducing to a gentle simmer. Let the liquid embrace the vegetables, coaxing them to tenderness while melding their flavors into a harmonious broth.
- Enrich the soup’s texture and protein content by folding in creamy chickpeas, buttery white beans, and hearty barley or orzo. Allow these elements to intermingle and absorb the soup’s deeply developed essence.
- Moments before serving, cascade verdant kale or spinach into the pot, letting the greens wilt gracefully and contribute a final layer of nutrition and vibrant color.
- Ladle the steaming concoction into waiting bowls, crowning each serving with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley. Present alongside crusty artisan bread or crisp crackers for a complete, soul-warming meal.
Notes
- Optimize vegetable sautéing by cutting them into uniform, small pieces to ensure even cooking and quick softening.
- Enhance soup’s depth by using homemade stock or roasting vegetables before adding them to develop richer, more complex flavors.
- Customize grains by substituting barley or orzo with quinoa or rice for gluten-free options or different nutritional profiles.
- Prevent overcooking greens by adding them at the very end, ensuring they retain bright color, crisp texture, and maximum nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg