Italian Style Lentil Soup Recipes

ITALIAN-STYLE LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan coated with cooking spray, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, celery and carrot; cook and stir until crisp-tender., Stir in lentils, parsley, bouillon, pepper and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 20-25 minutes or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally., Stir in tomato paste, vinegar, brown sugar and salt; heat through. Serve with cheese. Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add a little water if necessary.

ITALIAN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add in the diced onions, carrots, and celery, and saute for about 8-10 minutes until onion is soft and translucent.
• Add the minced garlic and saute for a couple of minutes. Keep an eye on the garlic and stir as it will brown quickly (1-2 minutes is enough to cook up the garlic).
• Add in the lentils and stir, combining it with the soffritto mixture (about 2-3 minutes).
• Add in the tomatoes and use a wooden spoon to break them up and combine them with the lentils (if using canned plum tomatoes, break them up before adding, and remove the tough white core). Let this simmer together for a few minutes and season with salt (and pepper, if you're using). If you're not using a low sodium broth, wait to add salt until after you add your broth.
• Next, add in the broth and bay leaf.
• Bring to a boil for a few minutes and then lower the heat to a simmer.
• Check the seasoning and add more salt (if needed)and pepper and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Stir in kale during last 10 minutes of cooking. You just want the kale to be wilted, but cook it more if you don't mind it on softer side.
• If soup is thickening too much, add a bit of water (start out with 1/4 cup and check how consistency is). The lentils will thicken up as they cook.
• When ready to serve, remove the bay leaf.
• Ladle into serving bowls and drizzle on some olive oil.
• Add in red pepper flakes, if using.
• SLOW COOKER DIRECTIONS:
• Add the first 12 ingredients (through the salt + pepper) to a large 6-quart slow cooker, and stir to combine.
• Cook for 4-5 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low, until the lentils are tender and cooked through.
• Stir in the kale during the last hour of cooking.
• Taste, and season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Remove the bay leaves.
• Serve warm, garnished with optional toppings if desired.

EVERYDAY ITALIAN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat.
• Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper and saute until all the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes with their juices. Simmer until the juices evaporate a little and the tomatoes break down, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
• Add the lentils and mix to coat.
• Add the broth and stir.
• Add the thyme sprigs.
• Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Cover and simmer over low heat until the lentils are almost tender, about 30 minutes.
• Stir in the pasta. Simmer until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste.Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with the Parmesan, drizzle with olive oil, and serve.

ITALIAN LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Add the lentils and water to a slow cooker; cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours.
• In a skillet over medium heat, let the oil and butter heat together until the butter melts.
• Add in the onion, celery, and carrots; stir/saute 5 minutes or until just softened.
• Add in the garlic; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
• Stir into the partially cooked lentils; cover and continue to cook on LOW for another 3-4 hours.
• Stir in the wine, lemon juice, and molasses; season with salt and plenty of fresh black pepper.
• Add water or broth to thin the soup if it is too thick.
• Cover and continue to cook on LOW for another 30 minutes.
• Ladle into bowls; serve hot topped with chopped green onion and a drizzle of vinegar.