Greek lentil soup
Delicious and hearty Greek lentil soup with fresh, simple ingredients.
Servings 8
Calories 263kcal
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz green Lentils
- 1 red onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves smashed
- 2 carrots cut in 1/4 inch pieces
- 2 stalks celery cut in 1/4 inch pieces
- 32 oz vegetable stock
- 28 oz tomatoes smashed with a spoon or your hands
- 1 /4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- freshly ground pepper
- salt
For serving
- chili pepper flakes optional
- red wine vinegar optional
- extra virgin olive oil optional
- fresh herbs leaves, thyme oregano or sage optional
Instructions
- Rinse the lentils and drain well.
- In a large pot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and the garlic. Sauté for 1-2 min.
- Add the carrots and celery and sauté for 3-5 minutes.
- Stir and add the lentils, smashed tomatoes (you can also smash the tomatoes with your spoon after you add them in) and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil for 1-2 min.
- Lower the heat to the minimum. Cover the pot and simmer for 60-90 minutes. Cooking time depends on the kind of lentils you are using. I am using green lentils that require longer cooking. Check lentils often until they have the desired texture. Adjust liquids too, you might need to add a little water or stock to achieve your desired soup consistency).
- Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
- Serve lentils in bowls with a slight sprinkle of red hot chili pepper flakes, a 1 tbsp olive, a tbs of red wine vinegar (optional) and warm crusty bread on the side.
Notes
- I use authentic San Marzano D.O.P. tomatoes; I love the sweet taste and velvety texture.
- Instead of green lentils, you can use brown lentils. Just adjust the cooking time. Brown lentils need approximately 35-45 minutes to cook.
Nutrition
Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 481mg | Potassium: 876mg | Fiber: 19g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3683IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 5mg