Lemony Spring Lentil Chard Soup Recipes

LEMONY LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse and drain chard.
• Cut off and discard thickest part of stems,then stack leaves and cut cross-wise into 1/2-inch wide strips.
• Set aside.
• Coarsely chop cilantro and set aside.
• Rinse lentils, then drain.
• In a 5-quart pan, bring lentils, 7 cups water and bouillon to boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat and cover, simmering for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in small iron skillet over medium-low heat.
• Add onion and garlic.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden (15-20 minutes), adding finely chopped cilantro during the last
• five minutes of cooking.
• Set aside.
• Add potato to the lentil mixture and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in onion mixture and chard and continue simmering until veggies and lentils are tender to bite.
• Stir in salt, pepper, cumin, and lemon juice.
• If desired, thin soup with 1 cup more water.
• Makes 6 servings.

LEMONY LENTIL CHARD SOUP

Steps:

• Place the water and lentils in a 5 quart pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the leek and sauté for a few minutes until it begins to brown. Add the eggplant and 1/2 tsp of salt and sauté for a few minutes, until eggplant begins to soften. Add tomato and cook for a few more minutes, until vegetables become saucy.
• Once lentils are just tender, add the saucy veggies, remaining salt, chard or spinach, zaatar, paprika, cumin, bouillon cubes, and lemon zest to the pot. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
• Stir in the lemon juice and garlic, ladle into bowls, and serve with lemon slices to garnish.

SWISS CHARD AND LENTIL SOUP WITH LEMON JUICE

Steps:

• Wash the strips of Swiss Chard; drain.
• In a large saucepan put the lentils and about 9 cups of water, place on high heat. Bring
• to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and add the Swiss Chard. Cover and boil gently for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile heat the olive oil in a skillet, add onions. Cook on medium heat until translucent; add the garlic paste and cilantro and cook gently for 3 minutes; transfer to the saucepan and mix well with the softened chard and the lentils.
• Continue cooking covered for another 45 minutes until the lentils are tender.
• Slowly incorporate the lemon juice, season with salt and pepper; simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, serve at room temperature.
• In the winter I tend to add potatoes to this soup, making it more hearty. This soup is nice and tart.

CHARD LENTIL SOUP, LEBANESE-STYLE

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Cook lentils in boiling water until beginning to soften, 8 to 10 minutes. Add chard; continue cooking until wilted, about 5 minutes.
• Add potatoes to the boiling water, reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook until the potatoes are completely cooked, about 12 minutes.
• Mix lemon juice, crushed garlic, and salt together in a bowl; add to the pot. Continue to cook at a simmer another 5 minutes. Stir olive oil into the mixture. Increase heat to high and cook another 1 to 2 minutes.