Granny Frasers Lentil Soup Recipes

GRANNY FRASER'S LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Boil the water, add the stock cubes.
• Once they have dissolved, add the lentils and simmer.
• Whilst the lentils are simmering, chop the potatoes first and add to the lentils, then the carrots and lastly the leek.
• Cook until the vegetables are soft, usually 20-30 mins depending on the size of the veg.
• Variations-
• *add ham/bacon.
• *fry the leeks in butter before adding to the soup.
• *keep it chunky or whiz with a hand-held blender.
• Once pureed this soup freezes. To defrost simply cover the bottom of a pot with water, put the frozen soup in it and gently heat until the soup is warmed through.
• I always make double to freeze and it rarely sees the freezer.

THE BEST LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrot, onion, celery and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are starting to caramelize and take on a dark brown color, 8 to 10 minutes (this step is important as it will add tons of flavor to your soup!).
• Stir in the tomato paste and garlic and cook, scraping up the brown bits, until the garlic is fragrant and slightly softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add in the lentils, stock, 4 cups water, thyme, bay leaf, oregano, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, 2 teaspoons salt and a generous amount of black pepper and stir to combine. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the lentils are softened with just a bit of bite, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf. Puree 2 1/2 cups of the soup in a blender until smooth then stir back into the pot. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Ladle into bowls and garnish with more parsley.