The Daily Balance

BRRRR! It is cold out there!

Just the other day, the Mister and I were talking about what a mild winter we’ve been having here in Cleveland — LITERALLY one day later, Mother Nature laughed in our face and it’s been snowing ever since — not to mention the FRIGID temperatures! The windchill was below zero yesterday — so much for riding my bike…

One of my favorite ways to warm up is with a good, hearty bowl of soup. I find that lentils are the best fit for this weather and create a filling soup heavy enough for dinner — alongside a crusty piece of bread, of course

According to one of my favorite resources, World’s Healthiest Foods…

Lentils are relatively quick and easy to prepare. They readily absorb a variety of wonderful flavors from other foods and seasonings, are high in nutritional value and are available throughout the year.”

Lentils are legumes along with other types of beans. They grow in pods that contain either one or two lentil seeds that are round, oval or heart-shaped disks and are oftentimes smaller than the tip of a pencil eraser. They may be sold whole or split into halves with the brown and green varieties being the best at retaining their shape after cooking.

Need more convincing?

Lentils, a small but nutritionally mighty member of the legume family, are a very good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber. Not only do lentils help lower cholesterol, they are of special benefit in managing blood-sugar disorders since their high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising rapidly after a meal. But this is far from all lentils have to offer. Lentils also provide good to excellent amounts of six important minerals, two B-vitamins, and protein-all with virtually no fat. The calorie cost of all this nutrition? Just 230 calories for a whole cup of cooked lentils. This tiny nutritional giant fills you up–not out.

Are you with me yet? Lovin’ the lentil? Good. Here’s what you’ll need for a delicious bowl of soup:

• two cups of lentils (any color except red)
• half an onion
• one celery stalk
• one carrot
• three garlic cloves
• extra virgin oil
• salt and pepper
• fresh thyme (optional)
• one bay leaf
• one 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes
• one quart of vegetable broth
• red wine or sherry vinegar
• spinach (optional)
• a blender or food processor (optional)

1. Rinse the lentils in a colander or strainer.
2. Finely chop vegetables.
3. Coat the bottom of a pot with oil and heat. Add the vegetables and cook until they’re softened. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add the thyme (if using), bay leaf, tomatoes and their juices, lentils, and broth and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes or until the lentils and vegetables are soft.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, I like to finish with a drizzle of vinegar.

Tasty variations: Add a few handfuls of spinach and stir until wilted. Also optional: Purée half of the soup in a blender and add it back to the pot for a creamier texture.

What is your favorite “warm-me-up” soup?

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22 Responses to “Make it – Warm up with savory lentil soup”

1. Kristen @ Change of Pace said:

   I love lentils! Something about the texture is so good. I actually make my lentil soup in the crockpot on low. It helps the lentils really absorb the flavors!

   Posted on January 4, 2010 at 11:01 am | Reply
2. Weekly Bite said:

   I’m with you on the frigid temps! The windchill is in the single digits here in DC

   Posted on January 4, 2010 at 11:16 am | Reply
3. Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen said:

   Lentil soup has always been a HUGE favorite of mine! Always love finding new takes on it…thanks for the recipe!

   Posted on January 4, 2010 at 11:52 am | Reply
4. Good Taste. Healthy Me said:

   I absolutely love soups. My fave to warm me up might just be my veggie orzo soup. But it’s so tough to choose!

   Posted on January 4, 2010 at 12:04 pm | Reply
5. Diana @ frontyardfoodie said:

   I wasn’t ever a fan of lentils til my husband made me taste some from one of our favorite restaurants and I loved it!

   I’ll def give this a try for him.

   Posted on January 4, 2010 at 12:42 pm | Reply
6. Sarah said:

   I love lentils and had them with a rice dish I made last night. So tasty and good for you

   Posted on January 4, 2010 at 12:48 pm | Reply
7. Jenny said:

   I LOVE lentil soup! My mom makes an amaze recipe with sausage and spinach and oh, it’s so good. I’m craving it right now!

   Posted on January 4, 2010 at 1:07 pm | Reply
8. glidingcalm said:

   hi lover!! that soup sounds awesome! my mom made split pea soup the other day, and we were laughing at the fact that most people BLEND their lentils, when really often you just need patience and a LOT of simmering to get the same (and tastier) effect!

   HUGS!

   Posted on January 4, 2010 at 1:24 pm | Reply
9. Chelsea said:

   Mmm…I may need to make this. Sorry about the friged weather

   Posted on January 4, 2010 at 1:40 pm | Reply
10. Whitney @ Lettuce Love said:

    I love lentil soup. Soup is so great on a cold day

    Posted on January 4, 2010 at 2:45 pm | Reply
11. Priyanka said:

    I love Lentil soups, this recipe sounds great!

    Posted on January 4, 2010 at 3:51 pm | Reply
12. Taylor@Joy of Food said:

    I do love a lentil soup too

    Posted on January 4, 2010 at 4:34 pm | Reply
13. Jenny said:

    It’s snowing here and 27 degrees! I could really use some soup

    I love Minestrone soup…Lentil soups are very good also!

    Posted on January 4, 2010 at 4:42 pm | Reply
14. K said:

    So YOU GUYS are the reason for this frigid weather?! Just kidding – that soup sound fantastic!

    Posted on January 4, 2010 at 5:11 pm | Reply
15. Shelley said:

    this sounds fabulous!! especially on a cold winter’s day

    Posted on January 4, 2010 at 11:04 pm | Reply
16. CaSaundra said:

    I’ve actually never had lentils, but I have been meaning to make some sort of soup with them!

    Posted on January 6, 2010 at 8:40 am | Reply
17. Work it - Play in the snow and work off that rich cup of cocoa! | The Daily Balance said:

    [...] we’ve all noticed by now, Father Winter is here. For those of you who don’t have to deal with an endless field of snow (ie — a snowy [...]

    Posted on January 6, 2010 at 9:57 am | Reply
18. Daily Delish - NAYA take 2 | The Daily Balance said:

    [...] This was phenomenal! So flavorful and chock-full of fresh ingredients! I spotted: potato, a leafy green (kale, maybe?), carrots and of course red lentils. This was one of the best soups I’ve ever had — it rivals my own recipe! [...]

    Posted on January 11, 2010 at 7:57 pm | Reply
19. Penny said:

    Oh my goodness, I love, LOVE, lentils. I eat them several times a week. Thanks for the recipe.

    Posted on January 13, 2010 at 5:25 pm | Reply
20. GymBuddiez – Helpful Fitness Tips, Tools and Buddies in your Area » Let it snow! Fun ways to burn calories this winter (and burn off that cocoa!) said:

    [...] we’ve all noticed by now, Father Winter is here . For those of you who don’t have to deal with an endless field of snow (ie — a [...]

    Posted on January 14, 2010 at 8:59 pm | Reply
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