Lentil Soup

[LynnC]

How do you make it? Thought it would be easy but failed miserably - help!

Why what happened Lynn?

Tasteless yuk!!! I wasnt following any recipe just thought I'd give it a go, trying to be more adventourous and cook more for myself - unsuccessfully - I used lentils (obviously) leeks, carrots and stock but wasnt any good but not sure what else should go in it.

lentil soup need lots of seasoning : I add a tin of herby tomatoes, mustard and lots of lea and perrins !!!! yummy xxx

Here is a recipe for Greek Lentil Soup, see if this looks better to you:

1 lb dried brown lentils 2 tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper
2 large onions, chopped finely ¾ cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced 2 ½ quarts boiling water
4 medium carrots, grated
2 ½ tablespoons tomato paste
3 large bay leaves
4 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (or wine vinegar)

METHOD

In a large dutch oven or soup pot, cover lentils with boiling water and allow them to boil for about 10 minutes. Then drain the lentils in a colander. Put the lentils back into the pot, add the onions, garlic, carrots, tomato paste, bay leaves, salt and pepper and add 2 ½ quarts of fresh boiling water. The lentils should then simmer uncovered for about 1 ½ hours. At that time you can add the olive oil and the balsamic vinegar and simmer for an additional ½ hour. At this point you need to taste the soup, if the lentils are still not done, continue to simmer. If the soup becomes too thick, add additional water.

Fry chopped onion and garlic in olive oil in a heavy pan. I add a knife-tip of chilli flakes (try ethnic shop) for a bit of extra flavour.
Add packet bacon cut into little strips and fry that for a bit (chorizo also works well instead of bacon).
Add split lentils (the orange ones) and cook for a minute or two, stirring so that all the lentils get covered in the oil.
Add liquid of your choosing. I usually start with a cupful of white wine, then add stock and/or tinned tomatoes, according to what I have around.
Simmer until cooked (30 mins plus). Check periodically to see if you need more liquid. I usually do an initial cook before children come home, leave to stand in pan with lid on, then reheat later. It improves in flavour after standing for a while. Also freezes well.

Is dd1's favourite food in the whole world. Easy to make and v. cheap. What more can you ask from a recipe?

Did you want it to be vegetarian if so then this one looks good

although I like the sound of this one I suppose you could use smoked bacon instead of chorizo?

They all seem to have some sort of yogurty stuff in them!

Thanks everyone.....thats what I get for trying to be too simple! Not sure when my next attempt will be as dont get time to myself very often but now I can at least make sure I have correct ingredients in and thanks for links Lucycat

my lentil soup is really simple, its called winter warmer. melt butter, then add garlic and chopped celery, fry until soft then add orange split lentils and carrots and stock, simmer until softened and then puree. vary the quantities to taste, dead easy.