Italian Green Lentil Soup Recipes

GREEN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots and celery and cook for 5-6 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
• Then add garlic, spices, and cook for one minute, stirring continuously.
• Add the remaining ingredients, bring the mixture up to a boil, then turn the heat down to medium low and put the lid on. Simmer for about 30-35 minutes, or until lentils are soft.
• Turn the heat off, let it cool slightly, and remove the bay leaves. Then transfer half of the soup to a blender, blend, return the soup into the pot and give a good stir. Alternatively, you can use a hand blender to whizz only part of the soup.
• Now taste and make sure you're happy with seasoning and consistency, you might want to add more salt and pepper according to your taste. And add a little bit of water if you prefer a thinner soup. ¼
• Serve it warm, with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, black pepper, and crusty bread. Enjoy!

ITALIAN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add in the diced onions, carrots, and celery, and saute for about 8-10 minutes until onion is soft and translucent.
• Add the minced garlic and saute for a couple of minutes. Keep an eye on the garlic and stir as it will brown quickly (1-2 minutes is enough to cook up the garlic).
• Add in the lentils and stir, combining it with the soffritto mixture (about 2-3 minutes).
• Add in the tomatoes and use a wooden spoon to break them up and combine them with the lentils (if using canned plum tomatoes, break them up before adding, and remove the tough white core). Let this simmer together for a few minutes and season with salt (and pepper, if you're using). If you're not using a low sodium broth, wait to add salt until after you add your broth.
• Next, add in the broth and bay leaf.
• Bring to a boil for a few minutes and then lower the heat to a simmer.
• Check the seasoning and add more salt (if needed)and pepper and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Stir in kale during last 10 minutes of cooking. You just want the kale to be wilted, but cook it more if you don't mind it on softer side.
• If soup is thickening too much, add a bit of water (start out with 1/4 cup and check how consistency is). The lentils will thicken up as they cook.
• When ready to serve, remove the bay leaf.
• Ladle into serving bowls and drizzle on some olive oil.
• Add in red pepper flakes, if using.
• SLOW COOKER DIRECTIONS:
• Add the first 12 ingredients (through the salt + pepper) to a large 6-quart slow cooker, and stir to combine.
• Cook for 4-5 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low, until the lentils are tender and cooked through.
• Stir in the kale during the last hour of cooking.
• Taste, and season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Remove the bay leaves.
• Serve warm, garnished with optional toppings if desired.

ITALIAN GREEN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Add the lentils to a large saucepan and cover with 5cm/2in water. Cook over a medium heat, you don't want to boil the lentils, for about 20 minutes. To test if the lentils are cooked crush one between your fingers, it should feel creamy not starchy. Season the lentils with salt and pepper.
• Heat a large saucepan and add the oil. Add the onions and cook over a medium heat until soft and golden.
• Add the garlic and basil stalks. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Once the dish starts smelling strongly of garlic add the chopped tomatoes.
• Add the lentils and stock and stir. Leave to cook for 5 minutes for all the flavours to marry.
• Season with salt and pepper and ladle the soup into bowls. Top with grated pecorino cheese (if using), basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil.

LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper and saute until all the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices. Simmer until the juices evaporate a little and the tomatoes break down, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add the lentils and mix to coat. Add the broth and stir. Add the thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer over low heat until the lentils are almost tender, about 30 minutes.
• Stir in the pasta. Simmer until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with the Parmesan, drizzle with olive oil, and serve.

ITALIAN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add the water, broth, lentils, carrot, green pepper, oregano, basil and, if desired, pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until lentils are almost tender. , Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes longer or until lentils are tender. Serve with rice. Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or water if necessary. Serve with rice.