Quick & Nutritious Pressure Cooker Lentil Soup
Experience a wholesome and fulfilling lentil soup that comes together in just 10 minutes using a pressure cooker! This vegetarian delight is packed with protein-rich lentils, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs, making it not only incredibly quick but also a nourishing option for any meal. You can customize your soup by adding sweet corn kernels for an extra touch of sweetness just before serving. Perfect for busy weeknights, this soup is certain to warm you up and satisfy your taste buds. Just remember to let it cool a bit before diving in due to its higher temperature compared to traditional stovetop soups. Adapted from renowned chef Jill Nussinow, this recipe brings a fresh perspective on pressure cooking.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil or canola oil
1 tablespoon (Heat in the pressure cooker)
Onion
1 medium (Chopped)
Carrots
2 large (Cut into 1/8-inch half moons)
Bay leaves
2 (Whole)
Fresh thyme
2 sprigs (Whole (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme))
Fresh winter or summer savory
1 teaspoon (optional) (Whole or dried)
Water or all-natural vegetable broth
6 cups (Liquid)
Green lentils
1.5 cups (Rinsed)
Brown lentils
1.5 cups (Rinsed)
Red lentil
1/2 cup (Rinsed)
Potato
1 medium (Peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces)
Kosher salt
1/2-1 teaspoon (To taste)
Fresh ground black pepper
To taste (Ground)
Grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (optional for topping)
Instructions
1
Begin by heating the olive or canola oil in your pressure cooker over medium heat until shimmering.
2
Add the chopped onion to the pot and sauté for about 2 minutes until softened and translucent.
3
Next, add the sliced carrots and continue to cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently to combine.
4
Incorporate the bay leaves, thyme, and optional savory herbs into the mixture for added flavor.
5
Pour in the water or vegetable broth, and then stir in the green, brown, and red lentils along with the diced potato, ensuring everything is evenly mixed.
6
Secure the lid on the pressure cooker, making sure it is locked in place. Increase the heat until the mixture reaches high pressure.
7
Once at high pressure, reduce the heat to maintain that pressure and cook for 6 minutes.
8
After 6 minutes, remove the pressure cooker from heat and allow the pressure to release naturally for the best texture.
9
Once pressure has released, carefully remove the lid, tilting it away from you to avoid steam burns. Discard the bay leaves and thyme stems.
10
Season the soup with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
11
Serve hot, optionally garnishing each bowl with grated Parmesan cheese and adding corn kernels if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish in this recipe?
The dish is a Quick & Nutritious Pressure Cooker Lentil Soup.
How long does the soup cook under high pressure?
The soup should be cooked for 6 minutes once the pressure cooker reaches high pressure.
Is this lentil soup suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, it is described as a vegetarian delight packed with protein-rich lentils and vegetables.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What types of lentils are used in this soup?
The recipe uses a combination of green, brown, and red lentils.
What kind of oil should I use for sautéing?
You can use either olive oil or canola oil.
How should the onion be prepared?
One medium onion should be chopped and sautéed for about 2 minutes until translucent.
What is the recommended cut for the carrots?
The carrots should be cut into 1/8-inch half moons.
How many bay leaves are required?
You need 2 whole bay leaves for this recipe.
Can I use dried thyme instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute 2 sprigs of fresh thyme with 1 teaspoon of dried thyme.
What is the optional herb mentioned in the ingredients?
Fresh or dried winter or summer savory is an optional herb that can be added for extra flavor.
What type of liquid is used as the soup base?
You can use 6 cups of water or all-natural vegetable broth.
How should the potato be prepared?
One medium potato should be peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces.
Do the lentils need to be rinsed?
Yes, the green, brown, and red lentils should all be rinsed before being added to the pot.
At what heat should I sauté the vegetables?
The vegetables should be sautéed over medium heat.
How long should I sauté the carrots?
The carrots should be cooked for about one minute after adding them to the softened onions.
When should the herbs be added to the pressure cooker?
The bay leaves, thyme, and optional savory are incorporated after the carrots have sautéed for a minute.
What is the correct way to release the pressure?
Allow the pressure to release naturally after the 6-minute cooking time for the best texture.
How should I safely open the pressure cooker lid?
Carefully remove the lid and tilt it away from you to avoid potential steam burns.
Which items should be removed before serving the soup?
You should discard the bay leaves and any thyme stems before serving.
What seasonings are recommended at the end?
The soup should be seasoned with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
Can I add corn to this recipe?
Yes, you can customize the soup by adding sweet corn kernels just before serving.
What is a suggested garnish for this soup?
Grated Parmesan cheese is an optional garnish for each bowl.
Why should I let the soup cool slightly before eating?
Because pressure cooker soups reach a higher temperature than traditional stovetop versions, cooling prevents burns.
Who is the chef that inspired this recipe?
This recipe is adapted from the work of renowned chef Jill Nussinow.
Is this recipe good for a busy weeknight?
Yes, it is designed to be quick and easy, coming together in about 10 minutes using a pressure cooker.
How much water or broth is needed?
The recipe requires 6 cups of liquid.
What is the total quantity of lentils used?
The recipe uses 3.5 cups of total lentils (1.5 cups green, 1.5 cups brown, and 0.5 cup red).
What texture should the onions have before adding carrots?
The onions should be softened and translucent.
Is this soup high in protein?
Yes, the soup is described as a protein-rich option due to the variety of lentils used.