Hearty Vegetable Lentil Stock
This Hearty Vegetable Lentil Stock is a flavor-packed foundation for any soup or stew, enriched with the nutritious benefits of lentils and rooted in aromatic vegetables. The combination of leeks, carrots, and russet potato creates a robust, umami-rich broth that not only serves as a versatile base for your culinary creations but also stands alone as a comforting beverage. Vegan-friendly and easy to prepare, this stock is the perfect canvas for cooking grains or enhancing sauces, making it an essential staple in any kitchen. Use this rich stock in my signature Five Lily Soup for an extra boost of flavor!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
leeks
2 (roughly chopped)
carrots
2 (chopped)
celery
1 stalk (chopped with leaves)
russet potato
1 small (chopped with peel)
garlic
2 cloves (peeled and halved)
dried lentils
1/4 cup (none)
bay leaf
1 (none)
peppercorn
1/2 teaspoon (none)
soy sauce or tamari
1/2 tablespoon (none)
dried thyme
1 pinch (none)
parsley
6 sprigs (fresh)
Instructions
1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the leeks, carrots, celery, potato, and garlic, sautéing the mixture until the vegetables are slightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
2
Pour in 5 cups of water, then stir in the dried lentils, bay leaf, peppercorns, soy sauce (or tamari), dried thyme, and parsley sprigs.
3
Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, allowing it to simmer uncovered for approximately one hour, stirring occasionally.
4
After simmering, remove the pot from heat and strain the stock through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, discarding the solids. Let it cool completely.
5
Store the vegetable stock in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to three months. This recipe can easily be doubled to make a larger batch!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Vegetable Lentil Stock?
Hearty Vegetable Lentil Stock is a flavor-packed, nutritious foundation for soups and stews made with aromatic vegetables and lentils.
Is this stock recipe vegan-friendly?
Yes, this stock is entirely vegan-friendly as it uses only plant-based ingredients like vegetables, lentils, and olive oil.
Is Hearty Vegetable Lentil Stock gluten-free?
It can be gluten-free if you use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.
What vegetables are needed for this stock?
The recipe requires leeks, carrots, celery (with leaves), a russet potato, and garlic.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
This recipe contains 12 ingredients, including vegetables, herbs, and seasonings.
How long does it take to sauté the vegetables?
The vegetables should be sautéed in olive oil for about 5-7 minutes until slightly browned.
How much water is added to the stock?
The recipe calls for 5 cups of water.
What type of lentils should I use?
The recipe specifies using 1/4 cup of dried lentils.
How long should the stock simmer?
The stock should simmer uncovered for approximately one hour.
Should the pot be covered while simmering?
No, the stock should be simmered uncovered to allow flavors to concentrate.
How do I remove the solids from the stock?
Strain the stock through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth and discard the solids.
How long can I store the stock in the refrigerator?
You can store the stock in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Can this vegetable stock be frozen?
Yes, the stock can be frozen for up to three months.
Can I make a larger batch of this recipe?
Yes, this recipe can easily be doubled to create a larger batch for later use.
What are the primary flavor aromatics used?
The primary aromatics include leeks, garlic, celery, and carrots.
Does the potato need to be peeled?
No, the small russet potato should be chopped with the peel still on.
What herbs are used in this stock?
The stock uses a bay leaf, a pinch of dried thyme, and six sprigs of fresh parsley.
What is the purpose of adding soy sauce or tamari?
Soy sauce or tamari adds a rich, umami depth to the vegetable broth.
Can I drink this stock on its own?
Yes, it is flavorful enough to stand alone as a comforting, warm beverage.
What specific soup is this stock recommended for?
It is specifically recommended as a base for the signature Five Lily Soup.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The 2 cloves of garlic should be peeled and halved before sautéing.
Are the celery leaves included?
Yes, the celery stalk should be chopped along with its leaves for extra flavor.
What kind of seasonings are used?
Seasonings include 1/2 teaspoon of peppercorns and soy sauce.
Do I need to stir the stock while it simmers?
Yes, you should stir the mixture occasionally during the hour of simmering.
What can I use this stock for besides soup?
It is excellent for cooking grains like rice or quinoa, or for enhancing sauces.
How should the leeks be prepared?
The two leeks should be roughly chopped before being added to the pot.
Is this stock considered healthy?
Yes, it is low in fat and enriched with the nutrients from lentils and fresh vegetables.
What temperature should the stove be set to for simmering?
After reaching a boil, the heat should be reduced to low for the simmering process.
Should the stock be cooled before storage?
Yes, allow the strained stock to cool completely before placing it in the fridge or freezer.