Lentil and Bean Soup

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 70 minutes

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried brown lentils, rinsed
• 1 cup dried kidney beans, soaked overnight and drained
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

Steps to Cook:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until translucent.
2. Add the garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly softened.
3. Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, thyme, and oregano. Cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
4. Add the rinsed lentils, soaked and drained kidney beans, broth, diced tomatoes, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 35-40 minutes, or until the lentils and beans are tender.
6. Remove the bay leaves. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, if desired.

Cook’s Note:

• Soaking the kidney beans overnight helps to reduce their cooking time and makes them more digestible. If you forget to soak them, you can quick-soak the beans by covering them with water and bringing them to a boil. Remove from heat, cover, and let soak for 1 hour before draining and using in the recipe.
• For a creamier texture, you can blend a portion of the soup using an immersion blender or regular blender before returning it to the pot.
• Adjust the seasoning to your taste, adding more spices, herbs, or salt and pepper as desired.
• This soup freezes well, so you can make a large batch and enjoy it for several meals. Simply let it cool completely before transferring to airtight containers or freezer-safe bags.

This hearty Lentil and Bean Soup is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for a cozy meal. The combination of lentils, kidney beans, and a variety of vegetables creates a flavorful and satisfying soup that is packed with fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals.

The preparation for this soup is relatively simple, with the most time-consuming step being the overnight soaking of the kidney beans. However, this step is essential to ensure the beans are tender and easy to digest. If you forget to soak the beans, you can use the quick-soak method, which involves boiling the beans and then letting them soak for an hour before draining and using them in the recipe.

Once the beans are prepared, the rest of the soup comes together quickly. The onion, garlic, carrots, and celery are sautéed in olive oil to create a flavorful base, and then the spices are added to infuse the soup with warmth and depth of flavor. The lentils, beans, broth, and diced tomatoes are then added, and the soup is left to simmer until the lentils and beans are tender.

One of the great things about this soup is its versatility. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste, adding more or less of the spices, herbs, or salt and pepper as desired. You can also blend a portion of the soup to create a creamier texture, which can be especially appealing for those who prefer a smoother consistency.

Another benefit of this soup is its freezer-friendly nature. You can easily make a large batch and enjoy it for several meals, simply by letting it cool completely and then transferring it to airtight containers or freezer-safe bags. This makes it a great option for meal prepping or for those days when you don’t have the time or energy to cook from scratch.

Overall, this Lentil and Bean Soup is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for a cozy winter meal or a satisfying lunch. With its blend of wholesome ingredients and comforting flavors, it’s sure to become a new favorite in your recipe repertoire.