Last year I was severely anemic, almost to the point of needing a blood transfusion. I became obsessed with foods high in iron. While dining at an Italian restaurant with my family, I saw lentil soup on the menu so I ordered it knowing it had the iron my body craved. I didn’t expect my tastebuds to love it as much as they did. Yum! We’re about an hour away from this restaurant so we don’t visit often but I’d been craving it lately and decided to try and recreate it.
Many lentil soups just taste like lentils and are kind of boring. Not this one. It has a tomatoey flavor and a texture that isn’t just a bowl full of beans. It’s amazing! You can have it more liquid-y like a traditional soup but with less liquid it eats more like a chili. Both ways are delicious.
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon curry paste*
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 28 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup green lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup chopped kale, ribs removed
- Heat oil in a dutch oven or large pot and cook onions until translucent.
- Add garlic and spices and cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds.
- Incorporate the tomatoes and simmer for a minute or two before adding the lentils, broth and water.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and cover, simmering for 30 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender to blend approximately one third of the soup.
- Add the chopped kale and cook for 5 minutes until cooked.
I’m such a fan of lentil soup! Yum! I need to print this one out and try it.
This sounds really good. I have been craving something with lentils in it for a while now but haven’t found the perfect recipe.
I love lentil soup! I need to try out your recipe. There’s just something about holding a warm bowl of soup in your hands with a gentle bit of steam rising up. A meal like that is so warm and comforting.
I am saving this recipe for a cool day. I am anemic as well and try to incorporate as many legumes in my diet as possible.
That soup sounds so good. My husband loves to bring soup into work for lunch and this one will be a big hit with him.
I’m a huge fan of lentils. I use them in a lot of my recipes, and recently made a chili with them. I would love to give this recipe a try.
I need to add these ingredients to my grocery list so I can make your lentil soup this weekend. It’s going to be so cold after several days of warm, sunny weather.
Oh yum, this looks like a tasty soup. I always enjoy having it when it is chilly outside. I’ll try this for sure!
I haven’t had lentil soup in a long time. I actually forgot about how good it is. And to mix tomato and lentils together would be something I’d really enjoy. Especially in this 30-degree weather.
I am the only one who really cares for lentils in our household. This is something I would totally enjoy this cold winter days we are having right now.