Big Batch Red Lentil Soup |
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Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 40 Minutes |
Ready In: 70 Minutes Servings: 4 |
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This should really be called Healthy Healthy Soup, but it's so good, no one would believe it! The soup freezes extremely well and makes about 20 cups or so - enough, as the magazine said for 3 meals for a family of 4 . NOT for our family - it's only enough for about 2 meals. We LOVE it! I found this in some now forgotten magazine long ago and have changed it (added carrots, omitted the green pepper, added different colored peppers, took out the cilantro, which I HATE, and substituted parsley) quite a bit. The original also called for half brown and half red lentils. All red makes a much better tasting soup and it's prettier, I think; no muddy color. If you use vegetable stock, it's vegetarian. Omit the Zesty Lime Cream dollop and it's vegan. Hope you all enjoy it too!!! P. S. - Cut your prep time by using a food processor to chop all the veggies. Add the herbs as well so they blend in. Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil |
3 medium onions, chopped |
3 sweet red peppers (can use yellow or orange peppers as well) |
2 jalapeno peppers, chopped |
6 carrots, peeled & chopped |
3 garlic cloves, chopped |
1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano |
1 teaspoon cumin |
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander (important flavor) |
4 cups red lentils, rinsed & picked over to remove any debris |
12 cups homemade chicken stock (or 2 large cans, 2 pints 14 oz. each, chicken broth) or 12 cups homemade vegetable stock (or 2 large cans, 2 pints 14 oz. each, chicken broth) |
1 (35 1/4 ounce) can plum tomatoes, chopped (very lightly cuisinarted) |
2 cups water |
1 1/4 teaspoons salt |
cayenne pepper (i like it with a good kick) |
3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley (or cilantro) |
1/3 cup sour cream |
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice |
1 teaspoon lime zest |
Directions:
1. Warm oil in a very big pot over medium heat. Add onion & cook 3 minutes. Add sweet peppers, hot peppers, carrots, garlic, oregano, cumin & coriander, (which I cuisinart all together), and cook 10 minute or until veggies are soft, stirring often.
2. Add lentils, broth, tomatoes with their liquid and the water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 to 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in the salt and cayenne.
3. Remove about 1/2 of the soup and CAREFULLY puree in batches in a food processor or blender (blender works better) by pulsing off and on. (WATCH IT! VERY HOT!)
4. Stir puree back into soup in the pot. Taste and correct seasonings if necessary. Stir in the fresh parsley.
5. For the Zesty Lime Cream: Combine the sour cream, lime juice and zest in a small bowl. Stir well.
6. Serve soup with a dollop of the Zesty Lime Cream floating on top.
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