Lentil soup recipes wanted

[Millymollymandy]

I have a cupboard full of different kinds of lentils (and all sorts of dried beans, pulses, grains you name it!) that I just don't use enough. I make dhal in big batches to freeze and that's about it.

I'd like to make soup from lentils but not specifically a curried type one. I don't mind a few spices in it but would like to incorporate some veggies too.

I know I could experiment but if anyone has a nice hearty recipe I'd be happy for you to share it.

[Milims]

This is something I make regularly! It helps if you have a slow cooker.
Place a ham hock in the pan with veg - carrots, onion, leeks, turnip/swede etc. You can also put some split peas in a muslin bag at the same time to make peas pudding. Let it cook slowly until the meat is very tender. Take the meat out add some more veg it you like and add the lentils/split peas etc and some herbs to taste. Let it cook until the veg and lentils are soft. Season to your taste and then liquidise. It may turn out very think- which is good for freezing as you aren't freezing lots of water. If you are eating it straight away you may have to let it down with a little water or stock. Enjoy!

[Green Aura]

I love lentil soup you can do anything you want but it goes particularly well with sweet things like apricots or squash.


Lentil and Apricot Soup

Sweat an onion, garlic and a big sweet potato in a little oil.

Add a few chopped, dried apricots along with a sloosh of tomato puree (or some chopped tomatoes, a couple of handfuls of lentils and spice of your choice (I like cinnamon, coriander and a touch of nutmeg) and season. Cover with water by about 2", bring to the boil, cover and simmer until cooked.

If it gets too dry you can always eat it as pate on toast

You can blitz it or part of it or leave it chunky, change the fruit and/or spices - apple and ginger is amazing too, or use different veg instead of the sweet potato.

There's something about a touch of sweetness with the lentils that makes them taste really rich.

[Millymollymandy]

Thanks guys - some interesting ideas especially yours GA! I should have mentioned I only really like veggie soups and wouldn't know a ham hock if it hit me in the face!

[TheGoodEarth]

I do a nice and simple one and it's delish.

Lentils
Grated Carrot
Chopped Onion
Ham/Vegie Stock Cube
Good Pinch Chilli Powder
Pinch Paprika
Salt
Pepper

Simmer in pot for an hour

[StripyPixieSocks]

I have a similar one to above:

Carrot, Onion, Garlic and Celery (fry off in a tad of Olive Oil until soft)
Good Vegetable Stock
Red Split Lentils

Cook until the lentils are soft and serve with warm wholemeal bread. My favourite soup ever :)

[cobnuts]

As above but add some cumin, lime zest and lime juice. Yum!

[Millymollymandy]

Keep 'em coming, they all sound really good! I think that's what I'll do for dinner tonight. Which one though?!

[prison break fan]

Cant add anything to all the above recipes, except to say if you put potatoes and dumplings in you really have got a meal in one pan. Lentils make the winter bearable! pbf.

[Millymollymandy]

Ooh dumplings, I love them! I have just made Susie's version with added grated carrot and a bit of cumin. Tastes good already and I'll be eating it later with walnut bread.

[Millymollymandy]

It was really scrummy! I don't know why I never thought to try something so remarkably easy, quick and cheap before. It was really warming too.

[jim]

3 rashers of streaky bacon
1 onion
1 clove garlic
1 tblsp olive oil
1 cup lentils
Bay leaves, sage, thyme and whatever herb is to hand

Cut the bacon into bits about the size of your little finger nail, put into a large pot with the oil and cook gently until the fat begins to run out.
Chop the onion small and sling in with the bacon, cook until it goes transparent.
Chop the garlic and put in with bacon and onion for a minute or so.
Throw in the lentils, stir and cover with the flavoured fat.
Add enough water to cover and cook until soft.
Adjust seasoning to taste and thin to the consistency you like with stock.
Serve with chunky bread and decorate the surface with some chopped chives or parsley.

Love and Peace
Jim

[Millymollymandy]

Now I've got to try making soup with Puy lentils. Why I bought a bag I don't know as they ain't exactly your dhal type lentils.

[Green Aura]

Puy lentils are gorgeous but I don't know how they'll do in soup MMM.

They don't disintegrate like red lentils or split peas and retain a certain amount of chewiness. If you don't mind very small chewy things floating around in a thin soup - because they won't thicken it either - then go for it

I'm sure there'll be some very posh French recipe for consomme avec chewy bits on Google.

[Millymollymandy]

Oh ta guys I guess I'll have to google a puy lentil recipe then. Lord knows how long they've been in the cupboard though!

GA did you find this out by trying to make soup out of them?