Lentil soup: the humble lentil’s versatile friend

Lentils are a healthy, hearty, and very versatile source of plant protein. They are also one of the most inexpensive foods you can buy and make for an impressive dish with minimal effort. Lentils can be used in so many ways that it is hard to believe–whether as a main ingredient or as an accent in a meal or even tossed into your favorite soup!

What are lentils?

Lentils have a long history of being considered good for you. In fact, they are one of the oldest cultivated legumes in the world!

In prehistoric times, lentils provided sustenance for our ancestors in the Near East and Mediterranean region. As well as being the oldest pulse crop of all time, they have been domesticated since the beginning of time. There are multiple references to lentils in the Bible, including in Genesis and the story of Esau sacrificing his birthright for a bowl of crimson lentils.  It is truly no coincidence that lentils are shaped like the double convex optic lenses which in Latin lentils means ‘lens’.

Lentils are a type of legume that is often used in vegetarian and vegan dishes. They come in different colors, including green, brown, black, red, and yellow. Lentils are delicious on their own or as part of a meal. Try them in soup, chili, curry, stews or salad. Lentils are also great as a side dish.

Lentil health benefits

Lentils have a long history of being considered good for you. They are a great source of protein, fiber, and iron.They are also a good source of magnesium, which is important for keeping your bones healthy. Lentils are also an excellent source of folate, which is important for pregnant women and children.

Some of the health benefits are:

1. Lentils are a good source of protein. They contain all nine essential amino acids, which is important for building muscle and keeping your body healthy.

2. They are a good source of fiber. They are high in insoluble fiber, which helps to keep you feeling full longer and helps to lower your cholesterol levels.

3. These are a good source of iron. They contain 18% of the recommended daily value of iron, which is important for staying healthy overall. Iron deficiency can cause anemia, so it’s important to include lentils in your diet regularly.

4. They are a good source of magnesium. magnesium is important for keeping your bones strong and helping to prevent osteoporosis. Magnesium can also help to regulate blood sugar levels and maintain your regularity.

5. They are also low in calories and cholesterol, making them a good option for those who are looking to lose weight.

Are lentils gluten-free?

Lentils are a type of bean that is commonly eaten in many different countries. Many people believe that lentils are gluten-free, but this is not always the case. Lentils can contain small amounts of gluten, which could be a problem for people who have celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes problems with the digestion of gluten.

If someone has celiac disease and eats lentils, they could experience gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or constipation. People who do not have celiac disease may still experience problems if they eat lentils because they contain other types of allergens that can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

It is important to consult a doctor if someone has any doubts about whether or not lentils are gluten-free.

Types of lentils

If you’re looking for a healthy and filling side dish, lentils are a great option. Lentils come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, so they can fit into most meal plans.

Here are four types of lentils:

Red Lentils: These lentils have a deep color and are the smallest type of lentil. They have a mild flavor and can be used in soups and stews or as a base for salads.

Green Lentils: These are darker than red lentils and have a more pronounced flavor. They’re ideal for making dal (a type of Indian stew), pilafs (a rice dish), or chili con carne (a Mexican dish).

Pulse Lentils: They are made from several different types of beans that have been ground together into one product. They have a bright green color and a slightly nutty flavor. They can be used as part of vegetarian meals or as an ingredient in vegan dishes.

Brown Lentils: These are the largest type of lentil and have a slightly sweeter taste than other varieties. They’re good for making soups or stews, as well as rice dishes such as pilafs or paella.

Lentils kale soup recipe

Lentils make an excellent soup because they soak up all the flavors that you add to them. In this soup recipe, we use kale as our base flavor and then add tomatoes for sweetness and depth of flavor. We also add garlic and ginger for a little spice. If you don’t have kale on hand or would like to substitute another leafy green such as spinach or chard, feel free to do so!

This lentil soup is hearty but not heavy. It is perfect for those cold winter days when you just want something warming and comforting to eat. And best of all – it’s super easy to make!

Ingredients:

Add 1 tablespoon olive oil
-1 medium onion, diced
-1 red bell pepper, diced
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-1 teaspoon grated ginger
-1 cup uncooked lentils
-2 cups vegetable broth
-1/2 cup tomato sauce
Add 1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon black pepper
-1/4 cup chopped kale leaves
-Greek yogurt for serving (optional)

How to prepare:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for an additional minute.
4. Add the lentils and broth.
5. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the lentils are cooked through, about 15 minutes.
6. Stir in the tomato sauce and salt and black pepper to taste.

Serve warm with a sprinkle of chopped kale leaves on top and Greek yogurt, if desired.

Vegetable soup with lentils

If you love soup, lentils are a delicious and nutritious option. They’re high in fiber and protein, making them an ideal meal on their own or as a side dish with something else. You can cook them in a variety of ways, so find one that you like best and enjoy! This creamy vegetable soup with lentils recipe is a delicious choice for any day of the week, lunch or dinner or even as breakfast!

Ingredients:

-1 cup dried lentils
-2 cups vegetable broth
-1 cup sour cream
-1 onion, diced
Add 2 carrots, diced
-2 stalks celery, diced
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-1 teaspoon dried thyme
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-ground black pepper to taste

How to prepare:

1. Rinse the lentils in a fine mesh strainer.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the broth over medium heat.
Add the lentils, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper.
3. Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 10/15 minutes.
4. In the last 5 minutes add the sour cream and stir until it is well combined.

Serve hot with some crumbled cheese on top if desired!

Lentils and sausage soup/ stew

This lentil soup with sausage is hearty and delicious. It is perfect for winter when you need something warm and filling. The sausage adds a nice flavor and richness to the soup. We love to use chorizo since it has a deep smoked taste which matches good with the smoked paprika, cumin and curry powder to give it a rich stew flavor. You can serve it with some garlic bread to soak up the juices.

Ingredients:

-1 tablespoon olive oil
-1 large onion, diced
-2 carrots, diced
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-1 teaspoon smoked paprika
-1/2 teaspoon cumin
-1 teaspoon curry powder
-1/4 teaspoon sugar
-4 cups chicken broth
-2 cups uncooked red lentils
-1/2 pound chorizo, cut into small pieces
-Salt and pepper, to taste

How to prepare:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, carrots and garlic and cook until the carrots are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the smoked paprika, cumin, curry powder and sugar and cook for 1 minute longer.
4. Add the chicken broth and lentils and bring to a simmer.
5. Partially cover the pot with a lid and simmer until the lentils are cooked through but still a little firm to the bite, about 15/20 minutes.
6. Meanwhile heat some oil in a skillet and bake the chorizo pieces until the are slight crispy.
7. Add them and the chorizo grease to the soup for more flavor. (optional)
7. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve hot with some garlic bread on the side for dunking.

Conclusion

Lentils are a great source of protein, fiber and other nutrients. They are also low in calories and have a moderate amount of potassium, making them an ideal food to include in your diet on days when you’re trying to lose weight or maintain your health. Lentils can be cooked on the stovetop, baked or simmered in a soup. Whether you’re looking for something special for dinner tonight or want some extra Veggies in your diet, lentils are a versatile and delicious choice.