March 3, 2011

Lentil and Spinach Soup



This year, I have made my way through almost every kind of creamy soup: leek and potatobroccolitomatosquashroasted eggplantcarrotspinachcauliflower and asparagus, just to name a few. I love to stay in on a cold day and enjoy a big bowl of cream soup with crusty bread and butter. But on a recent warm day, when T and I were both bouncing back from a bug, I decided I wanted something a little fresher. 

I had printed this recipe for lentil and spinach soup a while ago and thought it might just do the trick. I had never cooked with lentils and I was surprised to learn two things about it: first, Canada is the largest export producer of lentils in the world, and second, when you cook red lentils, they get creamy and yellow.

Because of how the texture changed with the lentils, this was a thicker soup than I had anticipated. But the spinach, combined with the ginger I am pretty sure was just what the doctor ordered. I actually felt healthier after eating this soup. Enjoyed, of course, with a big loaf of crusty bread.

Lentil and Spinach Soup
Serves 6-8

Ingredients
  • 2 carrots, peeled and roughly sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 2 medium onions, roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 6 cups chicken stock
  • 10 ounces red lentils
  • a thumb-sized piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and sliced
  • 20 cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 7 ounces spinach, cleaned and torn
  • sea salt and black pepper to taste

Directions
  • Melt the butter in a large pot, add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic until the carrots have softened and the onion is translucent.
  • Add the stock to the pot, then add the lentils, tomatoes and ginger.
  • Stir the soup and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer. Put lid on for 10 minutes or until the lentils are cooked.
  • Add spinach and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Season well with salt and pepper.
Recipe adapted from Jamie Oliver: Ministry of Food

16 comments:

  1. I love soup...almost any soup, especially in this cold weather. I have been cooking soup almost everyday, mostly clear soup. Love your soup. Looks really healthy and delicious.

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  2. ^ agree, any sort of soup is delicious!
    ranging from sweet, savory, spicy (yum!), fresh... list goes on !

    & yours looks fantastic, i cant wait to look up all your soup recipes :)

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  3. bookmarked! i made a pseudo lentil soup last night because i had some leftover...there was spinach in there too! but i do plan to make a for-real lentil soup soon and this looks like just the recipe!

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  4. This looks so healthy good. Anxious to try this one; I know my husband will love this one.
    Rita

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  5. It is very cold here, this soup is the perfect remedy for such an awful weather.

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  6. I love that you felt healthier afterwards. That makes it a recipe worth sharing.

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  7. great soup almost like Indian dal and wow didn't know that Canada grows so many lentils

    Rebecca

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  8. I haven't cooked much with lentils either but I know so many folks that really love them that I have wanted to try o make a few dishes incorporating lentils. This has really inspired me. It really looks so tasty and I like the spinach in there - looks so fresh!

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  9. What a delicious combination of veggies! I love the addition of ginger, very aromatic. Wonderful recipe, thanks for sharing! :-)

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  10. What a healthy and fabulous soup. Wish you lived next door to me next time I was sick. Happy TGIF!

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  11. I love lentils in any shape or form and this soup looks like a wonderful flavor combination!

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  12. This is a really lovely soup. It is gorgeous to look at and I'm sure it is delicious. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  13. This is the best looking lentil soup I have seen. I am happy to say I am your newest follower!

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  14. Everything we like in a bowl. Thanks!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  15. I've been craving for a lot of soups lately. This sounds so yummy!

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  16. It's till soup weather here. I love this lentil and spinach soup- hearty and healthy, really good.

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