Tag: lentils

Black Lentil Soup – Always Bet on Black

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with green lentil soup, but once you start making it with black “beluga” lentils, you’ll have a hard time going back. These black beauties cook up melt-in-your-mouth tender, but still retain their structural integrity, which gives the soup both a thick, satisfying body, and a light, non-starchy mouthfeel.

The flavor is wonderfully meaty, especially when you toss in a handful of bacon, and they require absolutely no finesse to prepare perfectly. Just simmer until you have achieved lentil tenderness, adding broth as needed. That’s pretty much it.

I’m told black lentils are really good for you, which is weird, since I’ve never asked anybody. Nevertheless, this is a soup you can feel good about putting into your body, unlike that “Bacon Jalapeño Popper Chowder” recipe you got off Pinterest. We’re still right in the middle of soup season, so the next time you feel like a hot bowl, I hope you give this black lentil soup a try. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 4 large portions:

2 tsp vegetable oil

4 oz bacon

1 cup yellow onion, large dice

1 cup carrots, large dice

1 cup celery, large dice

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp dried thyme

salt and pepper to taste

cayenne to taste

1 1/4 cup black lentils

5 to 6 cups chicken broth, or as needed
1 bay leaf

1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
1 tsp extra good extra virgin olive oil

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Lentil and chickpea soup with lime

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Serves: 4
Prep time: 5 mins
Cooking time: 30 mins
Total time: 35 mins
Skill level: Easy peasy
Costs: Cheap as chips

This soup is made with two different kinds of pulses: lentils and chickpeas. It is high in protein but incredibly low in fat, making it a perfect healthy, warming bowlful. It’s also vegan, meaning that it’s a good quick supper if you’re cooking for vegetarian or vegan friends. The chickpeas and lentils combine to make it taste rich and creamy, and the lime cuts through the spiciness of the chilli and cumin to make it a deeply satisfying soup that’s also good for you.

Ingredients

3 cloves garlic
300g cooked chickpeas
300g cooked lentils
1lb stock
2tbsp red wine
2tsp cumin
1tsp chilli powder
1tsp turmeric
1tsp paprika
2 limes
1tbsp olive oil

That’s goodtoknow

You can use puy lentils, green lentils, red lentils or split peas for this.

Method

Peel and finely chop the garlic. Put 2tbsp chickpeas aside.
Put garlic, lentils, remaining chickpeas, wine and stock in a pan and bring to the boil.
Add the spices, and simmer for 20-25mins until the lentils and chickpeas are falling apart.
Add the juice of one lime, and taste. Add the second if you like. Blend until smooth.
Fry the remaining chickpeas in a little olive oil until toasted and crispy. Top the soup with chickpeas and additional lime wedges.

By Eleanor Turney

What do you think of this recipe? Leave us your comments, twist and handy tips.

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Chicken and Lentil Soup

This delicious, hearty lentil soup made with chicken, cilantro, cumin and spices is perfect for warming your belly on those cold winter nights. What’s more, it’s easy to make, economical and very satisfying.

I was in the mood for this last night so I thought it would be
a great time to update the photos. I’ve slightly modified the original
recipe which I posted back in 2009, but the results are just as good.

I’ve been making this soup for years, my family loves it – including my four year old (to my surprise)! It makes a big pot which means plenty of leftovers for lunch. It freezes well and can be reheated with a little water if it gets too thick.

Lentils were actually the first legumes I liked as a kid. My mom would me a similar soup with carrots and celery and since I was picky – she usually pureed mine. I love preparing them because they cook so much quicker than dried beans, and a small amount goes a long way. They are high in protein, Vitamin B, folate and soluble fiber and have twice as much iron as other legumes. You can easily cut this recipe in half or freeze left-overs for lunch which is what I like to do. Chicken breast would work in place of thighs if you prefer white meat. Ground annato (also known as achiote) is commonly used in Latin
cuisine, it’s used mostly to add color and adds a subtle flavor, but if
you can’t find it paprika would work instead.

Chicken and Lentil Soup
gordon-ramsay-recipe.com
Servings: 9 • Size: 1 cup • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 179 • Fat: 3 g • Protein: 23 g • Carb: 33 g • Fiber: 14 g • Sugar: 0 g
Sodium: 219 mg • Cholesterol: 42 mg

Ingredients:

1 lb dried lentils
12 oz (3) boneless skinless chicken thighs, all fat trimmed
8 cups water
1 tbsp chicken Better than Bouillon
1 small onion
2 scallions
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
3 cloves garlic
1 medium ripe tomato
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp ground annato (or Spanish paprika, or even Sazon)
salt, to taste

Directions:

In a large pot combine lentils, chicken, water and chicken bullion. Bring to a boil, covered over medium-low heat until chicken is cooked, about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken and shred, return to the pot.

Meanwhile, in a chopper or by hand, mince the onions, scallions, cilantro, garlic, and tomato. Add to the lentils with garlic powder, cumin, oregano and annato and cook, covered until the lentils are soft, about 25 more minutes, adding more water as needed if too thick. Adjust salt to taste as needed.

Makes about 9 cups.