Lemony Greek Lentil and Spinach Delight
This hearty and nourishing Lemony Greek Lentil and Spinach Delight is a delightful adaptation inspired by Crescent Dragonwagon's beloved cookbook. By swapping out butternut squash for sweet potatoes, this version offers ease of preparation and accessibility to ingredients. The use of homemade chicken stock enhances the soup's depth of flavor, while the optional incorporation of chard provides versatility. With a perfect balance of spices and fresh greens, this soup is not only filling but also a wholesome option for lunch or dinner. Pair it with a vibrant Greek salad and crusty bread for a complete meal. Note: For the best texture, it’s recommended to use between 1/2 to 3/4 pound of lentils—just enough to create a creamy base without it becoming overly thick. Enjoy a bowl of this comforting soup on a chilly day, garnished with lemon slices to brighten your palate.
6
Servings
263
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lentils
0.5-0.75 lb (Washed and picked over)
Vegetable Stock or Water
10 cups (N/A)
Fresh Jalapeno
1 (Seeded and minced)
White Coriander Seeds
2 teaspoons (N/A)
Whole Cumin Seeds
1.5 teaspoons (N/A)
Dried Oregano
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Dried Basil
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Dried Thyme
0.5 teaspoon (N/A)
Bay Leaf
1 (N/A)
Small Potatoes
2 (Scrubbed and diced)
Fresh Spinach
10 ounces (Well washed, stems removed and chopped)
Sweet Potato
2.5 cups (Peeled and cubed)
Olive Oil
1 tablespoon (N/A)
Large Onion
1 (Chopped)
Celery Ribs
2 (Sliced with leaves)
Large Garlic Cloves
3 (Peeled and finely chopped)
Salt
To taste (N/A)
Fresh Lemon Juice
1/3 cup (N/A)
Lemon Slices
To garnish (Paper-thin slices)
Instructions
1
In a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot, combine the washed lentils, your choice of stock (or water), chopped jalapeno, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, oregano, basil, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a rapid boil over medium-high heat.
2
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and let it simmer gently for about 30 minutes, allowing the lentils to soften and flavors to meld.
3
After 30 minutes, stir in the diced potatoes and chopped spinach. Cover the pot once more and let simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
4
Now add the cubed sweet potato (or butternut squash) to the pot, cover, and simmer while preparing the sautéed aromatics.
5
In a separate skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until it begins to soften.
6
Next, incorporate the sliced celery and minced garlic, continuing to sauté for another 3 minutes while stirring often to prevent browning.
7
Pour this aromatic mixture into the soup pot. Use a ladle to deglaze the skillet by adding a small amount of soup, scrapping up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom, then adding it to the pot.
8
Season the soup with salt to taste and let it simmer for a few more minutes until all vegetables are tender.
9
Just before serving, stir in the fresh lemon juice and give the soup another taste for seasoning adjustments. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish each serving with paper-thin slices of lemon for an extra citrusy zing.
Nutrition Information
3g
Fat
53g
Carbs
12g
Protein
9g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lemony Greek Lentil and Spinach Delight?
This is a hearty and nourishing soup adaptation inspired by Crescent Dragonwagon's cookbook, featuring lentils, sweet potatoes, and fresh greens.
Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, when prepared with vegetable stock or water, this recipe is entirely vegetarian.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 6 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this soup?
There are 263 calories per serving.
What is the recommended amount of lentils to use?
For the best texture, it is recommended to use between 1/2 to 3/4 pound of lentils.
Can I substitute sweet potato with another vegetable?
Yes, you can swap the sweet potato for butternut squash depending on preference or availability.
What type of stock is best for this soup?
While vegetable stock or water are standard, using homemade chicken stock can enhance the soup's depth of flavor.
What spices are used in this Lemony Greek Lentil soup?
The spice blend includes coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and a bay leaf.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving contains 12g of protein.
Is this soup high in fiber?
Yes, it provides 9g of fiber per serving, making it a very satisfying meal.
How much fat is in this recipe?
This is a low-fat soup containing only 3g of fat per serving.
How do I prepare the spinach for this recipe?
The spinach should be well washed, have the stems removed, and then be chopped.
Can I use chard instead of spinach?
Yes, the recipe allows for the optional incorporation of chard as a versatile alternative to spinach.
When do I add the lemon juice?
Stir in the fresh lemon juice just before serving the soup.
How long should the lentils simmer initially?
The lentils should simmer gently for about 30 minutes after reaching a boil.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 53g of carbohydrates.
What aromatics are sautéed for the soup?
A mixture of onion, celery ribs, and large garlic cloves are sautéed in olive oil.
How do I garnish this dish?
Garnish each bowl with paper-thin slices of lemon for an extra citrusy zing.
What should I serve with this soup?
It pairs perfectly with a vibrant Greek salad and crusty bread.
Is there any heat or spice in this recipe?
The recipe includes one seeded and minced fresh jalapeno for a subtle kick.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 3 large garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped.
What is the purpose of deglazing the skillet?
Deglazing with a bit of soup helps scrap up flavorful bits from the aromatics to add back into the main pot.
How much lemon juice is needed?
The recipe requires 1/3 cup of fresh lemon juice.
What kind of potatoes are used?
The recipe uses 2 small scrubbed and diced potatoes in addition to the sweet potato.
How long do the potatoes and spinach simmer?
They should simmer for an additional 15 minutes after being added to the pot.
Why should I use coriander seeds?
Coriander seeds provide a specific aromatic profile that complements the Greek-inspired flavors of the lentils.
Is this soup good for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as a comforting soup that is perfect for enjoying on a chilly day.
Does the recipe use olive oil?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of olive oil is used to sauté the aromatic vegetables.
How should the sweet potato be prepared?
The sweet potato should be peeled and cubed into approximately 2.5 cups.
What is the texture of the soup?
The lentils create a creamy base, but the soup remains light enough not to be overly thick if the suggested lentil ratio is followed.