Lentil soup is a healthy and hearty dish made with lentils, vegetables, and spices. Lentils should be rinsed before cooking and can be soaked for a softer texture. Canned lentils are not recommended. Lentil soup can be made with a variety of vegetables and a base of chicken, beef, or vegetable broth. It is easy to modify and freeze for quick meals. Lentils are high in protein, iron, and fiber and are a staple in many diets.
Lentil soup is a hearty soup made with small legumes known as lentils, similar to beans. The soup also includes other spices and vegetables. This soup can easily be made vegetarian or vegan and is a very healthy dish. While there are many different recipes for making this soup, the basics are fairly consistent between recipes.
Lentils are usually bought in a bag, dried. Some experts recommend soaking lentils before cooking them, while others recommend simply cooking dried beans. It is up to individual taste preferences and the types of lentils used; in general, lentils that are soaked first will be softer and have a slightly “mushy” texture than those cooked without soaking. Make sure you always rinse lentils before cooking them.
While canned lentils are available, they are not often recommended for recipes because they are significantly more expensive than dried lentils and can have an unpleasant texture. Lentils come in many different varieties, including brown, black, tan, green, and red, among others. You can use just one variety of lentils for lentil soup or use a combination. The most commonly used lentils for soup include brown, black, and green. You may be able to find a bag of dried lentils “mixed lentils” at the grocery store, which features a pre-prepared combination of lentils designed for soup recipes.
In addition to lentils, lentil soup could contain a number of other ingredients. For any soup, you must have a base. It can have a base made from chicken or beef broth, although vegetable broth can also be used for a vegetarian alternative. Some people choose to add chunks of sausage to the soup as well. Additionally, common vegetables added to lentil soup include tomatoes, carrots, celery, onions, and leafy greens like spinach, kale, or chard. Other common condiments include olive oil, garlic, black pepper and thyme.
For specific lentil soup recipes, searching online is the best method. Keep in mind that any recipe can be modified to taste, and this type of soup is particularly easy to experiment with. Making large batches and freezing some is a great way for quick and easy dinners year-round, as this soup is filling without being too heavy. Lentils are very high in protein, iron and fiber and are a popular staple not only in vegetarian diets but also in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes.
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