It had an intriguing name - "Sharon's Lentil Salsa soup", but what got me excited was the very short list of ingredients, and an equally short cooking time. When I had all the ingredients lined up, followed the recipe, and put down the first bowl on the table, I was surprised to see it had only taken 40 minutes, start to finish! And best of all, the ingredients are usually staples in your fridge or pantry.
It was very good, though I feel the need to tinker with it a little, of course:) But when my friend Kevin came by to taste test - and he instantly asked for the recipe so he could make it immediately. My vegetarian daughter tasted it, then packed some up for her dinner at work. Well, salsa will do that, won't it? I made half a recipe, since I wasn't sure how much it would make - next time I'll double it.
Lentil Salsa soup
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves peeled and sliced garlic
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 onion, peeled and chopped
1 cup brown lentils
1 cup Green Mountain Gringo Salsa (medium heat) or your favorite salsa
3 cups water - more if necessary
bay leaf
1 teaspoon whole thyme leaf
kosher salt to taste
Place olive oil in a heavy bottomed saucepan and heat on medium-low, then add the garlic, onions, and carrots. Cook, until the vegetables are softened, stirring with a wooden spoon so they don't burn. Add the water,bay leaf,thyme, lentils, and salsa, bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Cover the pot, making sure the soup is gently simmering, not boiling. Simmer 30 minutes, stirring once in a while to make sure the lentils aren't sticking - if that happens, just add a little chicken or vegetable stock or water. I had no problem with scorching or sticking. Taste and salt before serving.
Happy eating!
If Kevin asked for the recipe.it's a good sign:)
ReplyDelete12 books FUN!
My fave red lentil soup is from Linda..she sent me a recipe for a red lentil soup and I have been hooked ever since:)
If ever you want it..just email me:)
We are in cold mode right now..but not too much snow..
Nana - you bet I want your red lentil soup recipe! I have never bought red lentils, obviously behind the ball here:) I doubt I'm the only person that reads cookbooks as bedtime stories - nothing to give you bad dreams, right?
ReplyDeleteWe had a little inch of snow last night, but nothing like the snows I'm used to getting. The wind here can be frigid, so layering is important when that icy blasts come......
I'm waiting to hear back from Kevin with bated breath!
Before my mini Ipad..cookbooks were my bedtime stories of choice:)
ReplyDeleteThe recipe is here
http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016062-red-lentil-soup-with-lemon
I did a post on it I love it so much..
there is this one also:)
http://latabledenana.blogspot.ca/2015/01/indian-red-lentil-soupand-dories-double.html
I have a fondness for red lentil soups..maybe you can try both..Linda's aka NYTimes is the one I make most frequently now..I think I want some tomorrow;)
The wind..knocked the breath out of me yesterday..-16 F w/ wind chill!
I remember that post! But I was zooming in on the cake:) I do love cake. Thank you! I will try it - my daughter has some red lentils but I'd never cooked with them, so now I will, merci, merci. I see I forgot to look at the NYT recipe in my sudden exhaustion at 8 pm. 8 pm!
ReplyDeleteMinneapolis has wicked wind chills and winds that take the breath out of me when I go out, then turn around and go right back in. Not much snow - at least yet!
Happy dreams tonight, dear Nana!
I'm ready for this lentil soup. Love having a pantry/fridge stock of recipes! And if you're looking to add to your red lentil collection, give this a try.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sprigsofrosemary.com/2015/02/red-lentil-soup-national-homemade-soup.html
Thank you for that recipe, Rosemary! It has most of the ingredients my vegan daughter uses almost every day - definitely worth trying -
ReplyDelete