Cumin Scented Wheat Berry Lentil Soup Recipes

CUMIN-SCENTED WHEAT BERRY-LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• PREPARE THE WHEAT BERRIES IN ADVANCE (makes ~2 1/4 cups) -
• Sort through wheat berries carefully, discarding any stones. Rinse well under cool running water. Place in a large heavy saucepan. Add water and salt.
• Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat, cover and simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Drain and rinse.
• PREPARE THE SOUP (makes about 6, 1 2/3 cup servings) -
• Combine lentils, broth and water in a dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat, cover and simmer gently until the lentils are tender, but not mushy, 25 to 30 minutes (brown lentils take a little longer to cook than green).
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add carrots, onion, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to brown, about 15 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds more. Remove from the heat.
• When lentils are tender, stir cooked wheat berries and chard into the pot. Cover and simmer until the chard has wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the carrot mixture and lemon juice.
• Serve with warm crusty bread.

LENTIL SOUP WITH WHEAT BERRIES AND KALE

Steps:

• Pulse carrots, onion, and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. Heat oil in a 6-quart stockpot or Dutch oven over medium, then add vegetables; season with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper, stirring to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to look juicy, about 3 minutes. Partially cover with a lid, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are completely tender but have not taken on any color, 10-12 minutes.
• Add wheat berries, coriander, turmeric, and bay leaves and stir to combine. Cook until bottom of pot is just starting to brown, about 2 minutes. Add 10 cups water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Season with 1 1/2 tsp. salt, then reduce heat to medium-low and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until grains show signs of softening but are nowhere near done, about 15 minutes. Add lentils and kale and stir well to combine. Kale should be submerged; add another cup of water if needed. Partially cover pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until lentils and grains are tender and kale is very silky, 40-45 minutes more. Pluck out bay leaves. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.
• Divide soup among bowls. Serve with Parmesan for sprinkling over and bread for dunking.

VEGAN CUMIN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Pour the lentils on a cookie sheet and pick them over, removing any pebbles or debris. Pour the lentils into a strainer and rinse thoroughly. Set aside while you chop the vegetables.
• Heat the oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano and basil. Stir to combine and let the vegetable sweat (to release moisture) for about 10 minutes, or until the onions begin to soften. If they start turning brown, back off on the heat.
• Add the cumin, bay leaves, lentils and water. Stir well and turn up the heat. When the soup comes to a boil, turn it down to very low heat, cover and let simmer for 35 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaves. Either use an immersion blender to lightly puree the soup, or scoop out a few cups and puree in a food processor or blender and return to the pot. Keep pureeing until you reach a desired consistency.
• Add more salt and pepper to taste per bowl. The flavors meld very well overnight, so don't over-salt the pot.