Thursday, June 6, 2019

Best Way To Make Easy Lentil Soup

By Sandra Anderson


One thing that people enjoy is a nice hearty warm meal to be able to relax and enjoy the flavor. Soups are a great way to attain this delight. There are many types that can be made, but one, in particular, is growing in popularity. Learning to make easy lentil soup from scratch is easy and provides a great source of protein and nutrition that will make you full.

Soups are generally very healthy meals. Using lentils makes it even more nutritious because it consists of various vegetables, broth, and protein-rich beans. Since it is made without meat, it can be made for vegans as well. For people with health issues, this type of meal is a great source of vitamins.

Lentils do not need to be soaked prior to cooking. There are many different types of beans that do need to be presoaked for hours before cooking them with the other ingredients, lentils do not fall into that category. It doesn't hurt them to be soaked if you want them to be even softer after cooking. Soaking them does make it easier to digest or if you plan on blending the mix when it is done.

Many different ways of making these types of soups exist. You can make them like a vegetable version with more broth and no thickening agents. You can also puree them with stewed tomatoes or other agents that will help thicken them into a nice stew. These are great for dipping grilled cheese sandwiches. Other versions can be enjoyed with other types of bread.

Additional ingredients are needed to build the best version. Several recipes call for chopped celery, carrots, onions, and other cut vegetables. You will also want to include spices like basil, oregano, and a bay leaf to get some great flavors going. Stewed or diced tomatoes add great flavor and texture to the mix. Spinach is also a great addition. You will want to use freshly washed spinach, not the frozen kind that is cooked in vinegar.

To blend or not to blend? There are two thoughts here, and both are valid. Some enjoy the thicker version that is blended with the stewed tomatoes. This provides a nice thick stew that goes down smooth. The non-blended version is much like vegetable soup for those that like to add crackers to their bowl. The vegetables are all visible and the stock is a clear broth. Both styles are delicious. Be cautious when blending any hot mixture to avoid burns.

This can be used with many different side dishes. A fresh garden salad including croutons and a nice dressing really makes it great. Others may prefer a fresh batch of cornbread with honey and butter to flavor it up. Having these on the side make a whole delicious and nutritious meal.

Soups are something that most people enjoy in many different forms. With lentils as the primary ingredient, you can be assured of having a nice protein-rich meal without having to add meat. With salads or bread as the sides, it will make a whole filling meal. Carefully using a blender can turn the clear version into a nice thick stew that goes well with other sides.




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