Lentil Vegetable Soup

Lentil Veggie Souphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erx2FhewWoMLentil Veggie Souphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erx2FhewWoM

Yield 4-6

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Lentil Vegetable Soup

Pillars of Nutrition: Eat The Rainbow & Lean on ProteinThis lentil vegetable soup is packed with green leafy vegetables and seasons for a filling, flavorful main dish.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils (any color except red), rinsed
• 1 quart (4 cups) vegetable broth
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 carrots, grated
• ½ medium onion, diced
• 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
• Salt
• Black pepper, ground
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• ¾ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 2 cups seasonal greens, such as spinach, chard and/or kale, chopped

Directions

1. Put the rinsed lentils in a large pot and add the broth and bay leaves.
2. Cover the pot and bring to a simmer on medium-high heat (about 5 minutes). Once simmering, turn the heat to low and continue simmering for about 15 minutes.
3. Dice the celery, grate the carrots, dice the onion and mince the garlic.
4. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat until it begins to simmer (about 1 minute).
5. Add the celery, carrot, and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened (about 5 minutes).
6. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute). Then add several big pinches of salt and pepper.
7. Add the sauteed vegetables, broth, tomatoes with their juices and thyme to the pot with the lentils.
8. Continue simmering on low heat until the lentils and vegetables are soft (10-15 minutes)
9. Chop the greens while soup is simmering
10. Taste and add more salt or pepper as needed.
11. Add the greens and stir until wilted.

Notes

Variations to Try

• Try a delicious alternative to onion: leeks
• Add some other colorful veggies like purple cabbage red bell pepper, green beans, corn or peas

Something to Chew On

• Food historians tell us the history of soup is probably as old as the history of cooking!
• Spice it up! Smell the thyme and bay leaves. Experiment with different herbs and spices.
• Chicken and cheese/dairy are popular choices of protein. Do plants provide protein? Can you name other plant proteins?