Hearty Garlic & Herb Lentil Soup
Warm up your winter days with this delightful Garlic & Herb Lentil Soup, a nutritious and hearty dish that's bursting with flavor. Packed with protein-rich red lentils, this soup combines aromatic onions and garlic, sweet carrots, and a delightful blend of herbs, simmered to perfection in a rich vegetable stock. This recipe takes a bit of time, but the comforting aroma and the delectable flavors make every minute worthwhile. Whether enjoyed by the fire on a chilly evening or as a wholesome meal any day of the year, this soup is sure to become a family favorite. Plus, it's diabetic-friendly, making it a guilt-free indulgence!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
red lentils
1 cup (rinsed and drained)
onions
2 (finely chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
carrot
1 (thinly sliced)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
bay leaves
2 (whole)
dried marjoram or oregano
1 pinch (to taste)
vegetable stock
6 1/4 cups (for simmering)
red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons (for seasoning)
salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Begin by rinsing and draining the red lentils in cold water and set them aside.
2
In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
3
Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
4
Mince the garlic cloves and add them to the pan, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5
Stir in the thinly sliced carrots, rinsed lentils, bay leaves, and dried marjoram or oregano.
6
Pour in the 6 1/4 cups of vegetable stock and bring the mixture to a boil.
7
Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the soup simmer gently for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender.
8
After simmering, remove the bay leaves from the pot and stir in the red wine vinegar.
9
Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add a splash of stock or water.
10
Serve hot and enjoy the comforting warmth of this delicious lentil soup. To freeze leftovers, pour into a rigid container and seal tightly. To reheat, simply thaw and heat on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Garlic & Herb Lentil Soup?
It is a nutritious, protein-rich winter soup made with red lentils, onions, garlic, carrots, and vegetable stock.
Is this lentil soup vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it uses vegetable stock and plant-based ingredients.
Is this recipe suitable for diabetics?
Yes, this soup is explicitly described as being diabetic-friendly.
How many lentils are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of red lentils.
What type of lentils should I use?
You should use red lentils for this specific recipe.
How should the red lentils be prepared?
The red lentils should be rinsed and drained in cold water before cooking.
How many onions are needed?
You will need 2 onions for this soup.
How should the onions be chopped?
The onions should be finely chopped.
How much garlic is in this soup?
The recipe requires 2 minced garlic cloves.
How many carrots are used?
The recipe uses 1 thinly sliced carrot.
What kind of oil is used for sautéing?
The recipe specifies using 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
How many bay leaves are added?
Two whole bay leaves are added during the simmering process.
Which dried herbs are recommended?
You can use a pinch of either dried marjoram or dried oregano.
How much vegetable stock is needed?
The recipe calls for 6 1/4 cups of vegetable stock.
Why is red wine vinegar added to the soup?
Red wine vinegar is stirred in at the end for seasoning and flavor enhancement.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The soup should simmer gently for 1 1/2 hours until the lentils are tender.
What should I do with the bay leaves before serving?
You should remove the bay leaves from the pot after simmering and before serving.
Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, you can freeze leftovers in a rigid, tightly sealed container.
How do I reheat the frozen soup?
Thaw the soup and heat it on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.
How do I sauté the onions?
Heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onions for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
How long should I cook the garlic?
Cook the minced garlic for an additional 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant.
When do I add the salt and pepper?
Season with salt and pepper to taste after the simmering process is complete.
What can I do if the soup is too thick?
If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add a splash of stock or water at the end.
Is this soup considered a healthy meal?
Yes, it is described as a healthy, wholesome, and nutritious dish.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to rinse and drain the red lentils in cold water.
What heat level should I use for simmering?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently.
What are the primary flavors in this soup?
The primary flavors come from garlic, aromatic onions, carrots, and a blend of herbs.
How many total ingredients are listed in the recipe?
There are 10 ingredients listed in this recipe.
Is this a good winter recipe?
Yes, it is specifically described as a delightful way to warm up winter days.
Can I substitute the dried marjoram?
Yes, the recipe suggests using dried oregano as an alternative to marjoram.