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This simple and wonderful lentil soup is so healthy you’ll want to eat it every day. To tell the truth, I have been eating it almost every day for lunch. It’s so filling and flavorful and freezes exceptionally well. The girls in the office stopped asking me what I brought for lunch because it’s often left-over lentil soup. When my husband travels a lot I like to make something that will last so I don’t have to cook every night. I made a big batch of this soup and froze more than half. I’ve never felt the least amount of dread about what’s in my lunch box when I have this soup to devour.
There are many varieties of lentils and they come in a rainbow of colors. Lentils are from the legume family and boast a respectable amount of vitamins, dietary fiber, minerals and protein. Red lentils, pictured above, are not the powerhouse variety, but I love to cook with them anyway. When added to soups and stews they add a delicate texture and flavor I love. Lentils are also inexpensive and Health Magazine named them one of the five healthiest foods.
I also added green lentils to blend the textures and health benefits. As with dried beans, be sure to wash and pick over the lentils removing any debris.
Add a healthy bunch of chopped carrots and onions for flavor and color.
Wash and trim a big bunch of Kale, removing the tough stems. Kale, the real super food, helps keep your immune system strong. Kale cooks down quickly much like fresh spinach.
A big pot of healthy soup is like wearing a comfortable old sweater. You know … the one your family threatens to throw away if they ever get their hands on it. Yes I have an ugly sweater my family hates. Oh well, at least I don’t wear it in Christmas card photos!
Maybe I should wear my sweater and eat this soup – that would be just heavenly 🙂
Lentil & Kale Soup
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Hearty and healthy and loaded with flavor
Course: Soup
Servings: 6 bowls
Ingredients
- 5 cups water
- 2 heaping tablespoons vegetable base (Better than Bouillon Vegetable Base)
- 2 cups sliced carrots
- 1 large sweet onion, diced
- 1/3 cup dry red lentils, rinsed
- 1/3 cup dry green lentils, rinsed
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 3 cups kale, stems removed, cut into bite size pieces
Instructions
- In a large stock pot combine the water, vegetable base, carrots, onions, and lentils. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes. Stir in all remaining ingredients and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes until the Kale is wilted and soft.
- Serve with a dash of hot sauce if desired. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
(adapted from a recipe in the November 2011 Taste of Home Magazine)
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I really do love this soup. It makes me feel better about the cookies I ate last weekend 🙂 It’s all in the balance – right? I hope you have a lovely weekend. I feel there is something with pumpkin in my future. How about yours???
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
MrsJacobi says
February 4, 2014 at 6:20 pmThis has become one of my favorite soup recipes – and my family asks for it all the time! Hooray! :)<br />Even though the soup is delicious, for some reason I always get these kind of "soapy" bubbles in the soup. It seems to happen after I add the kale, so I'm thinking that's the culprit. Doesn't effect the taste, but doesn't look too pretty. Anyone know why this happens
Tricia Buice says
February 4, 2014 at 8:01 pmI have never had this happen and can't imagine why – bubbles? How odd. I usually buy organic kale for whatever reason. I would first try to buy the kale from a different produce market / grocery store. Maybe they spray it with something that causes the bubbles. You could also try washing the kale in a sink full of cool water with a little vinegar. Drain and rinse really well and see if
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
October 22, 2012 at 3:55 pmThat looks SO good. I actually want that for lunch right now. I love the addition of garam masala, and using both red and green lentils is SUCH a good idea, since the red ones get a bit mushy and I find the green keep their texture. It probably works out to be a really nice mix. 🙂
Stella B's Kitchen says
October 11, 2012 at 3:04 pmOh, do we love our lentils here! I've bookmarked this for my next soup craving! I love how healthy this soup looks! Thanks for sharing:)
Vicki Bensinger says
October 8, 2012 at 3:03 amWow it doesn't get much healthier than this. What a fantastic recipe and perfect for the chilly fall weather we've had this week. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Cooking on a Dime says
October 7, 2012 at 7:55 pmI am absolutely addicted to lentil soup. I am definitely going to have to make this soon!
FiSh. ohFISHiee says
October 7, 2012 at 4:46 amthat's a healthy broth :)! <br /><br />Latest: <a href="http://ohfishiee.blogspot.com/2012/10/zen-garden-taman-cuepacs-batu-9-cheras.html" rel="nofollow">Mookata: Smell your BBQ Flavour</a>
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
October 6, 2012 at 11:41 pmI bought some beautiful kale yesterday and this soup looks good enough for a magazine. I've got to try it.
Kari Lindsay says
October 5, 2012 at 8:23 pmDon't you just love when something so healthy also tastes good? Mmm mmm good!
cquek says
October 5, 2012 at 12:26 pmWarm and comforting. Delicious!
The Slow Roasted Italian says
October 5, 2012 at 6:43 amMy mom gave me her lentil soup recipe to make. It is pretty similar, I am definitely making it tomorrow! YUM, yours looks amazing.
Mary says
October 5, 2012 at 3:45 amHow perfect for a fall evening. This looks and sounds delicious. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Blond Duck says
October 5, 2012 at 12:24 amI've always wanted to try red lentils!
Sue/the view from great island says
October 4, 2012 at 10:35 pmWhat a beautiful soup. We love lentils, and I really like the rich color the tomato paste gives this. And garam masala is an interesting addition—thanks Tricia!
Angie's Recipes says
October 4, 2012 at 5:12 pmTricia, we love lentil dishes. This is one great comfort soup.Perfect for the rainy and windy days over here.
Donalyn says
October 4, 2012 at 2:52 pmTricia, this looks sublime – and we have about a ton of kale in the garden still, so it will definitely be on the rotation soon!
The Café Sucré Farine says
October 4, 2012 at 9:35 amTricia, this soup looks and sounds heavenly! Gorgeous photos too! Oh, and I have a sweatshirt that's 15 years old! I pulled it out the other day and it was like finding an old friend – my husband hates it with the sleeves all frayed and the whole thing quite ugly (but bery loved, somewhat like the Velveteen Rabbit!)
Tricia says
October 4, 2012 at 12:18 pmYes! I'm not the only one with a beautiful-ugly-favorite-old friend! If my old sweater would fall apart, I guess I would throw it away – but it washes up beautifully and still feels marvelous!
TRAVELING HUSBAND says
October 4, 2012 at 7:59 amI've been ready to come home for several days–and now, even more so! <br />I want to hug you…and then hug a big bowl of this soup…if there's any left. 🙂 <br />See you tonight. <br />TH
Tricia says
October 4, 2012 at 12:16 pmSorry but the soup is gone – I brought the last of it in my lunch today 🙁 I can always make more! Hurry home – we have a wedding to get ready for! And we miss you!
Mary says
October 4, 2012 at 5:34 amLove your soup description, Tricia. A cozy old sweater, a bowl of soup, this is deliciousness all wrapped up in comfort. <br /><br />The countdown is winding down. Can you believe how close you are to the wedding day????
Tricia says
October 4, 2012 at 12:15 pmI am sooooo excited Mary. You'd think I'm getting married. I stopped to get gas on the way to work yesterday and a complete stranger asked me what I was smiling about. I guess I really stood out because nobody smiles at the gas pumps these days! I am so happy for my son and my future daughter-in-law. They are so happy.