Nigel Slater’s Lentil Soup is made with lentils, onions, carrots, celery, and a blend of spices. It serves 6 people and takes about 45 minutes to prepare and cook, providing a hearty, nutritious meal with deep, savory flavors.
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🤎 Why You’ll Love This Lentil Soup Recipe:
- Nutrient-Rich: Lentils are packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making this soup not only delicious but also very nutritious and satisfying.
- Heartwarming Comfort Food: The rich flavors and hearty texture make it an ideal comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a warming meal.
- Quick and Easy: It takes about 45 minutes from start to finish, with most of that time being hands-off simmering, making it a great choice for a fuss-free weeknight meal.
- Meal Prep Friendly: This soup holds up well in the fridge and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together, making it perfect for meal prep.
- Comforting Yet Light: Unlike many creamy soups, this lentil soup is comforting without being overly heavy, making it suitable for those looking to enjoy a lighter meal that still satisfies.
âť“ What Is Nigel Slater Lentil Soup Recipe?
Nigel Slater’s Lentil Soup features onions, garlic, carrots, celery, spices like cumin and paprika, lentils, broth, and tomatoes. It’s seasoned with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, garnished with parsley or cilantro, making a flavorful, comforting meal.
🥕 Nigel Slater Lentil Soup Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup dried lentils (green, brown, or red)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 quart (4 cups) vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, with their juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups water (adjust based on desired thickness)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional, for brightness)
- Fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, for garnish
🍲 How To Make Nigel Slater Lentil Soup
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Stir in cumin, coriander, turmeric, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the dried lentils and bay leaf to the pot, mixing well to combine everything.
- Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and the diced tomatoes with their juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover the pot.
- Let it simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender (cooking time may vary depending on the type of lentils).
- If the soup is too thick, add up to 2 cups of water to reach your desired consistency. Remove the bay leaf, and optionally, add lemon juice for added zest.
- Adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or spices if needed. Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro.
đź’ Recipe Tips
- Sautéing Aromatics: Don’t rush the sautéing of onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Taking time to soften these vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and flavors, which are foundational to the soup.
- Spice Adjustment: Feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste. If you like a bit more heat or flavor, you can increase the amount of cumin, coriander, or smoked paprika.
- Simmering: Keep the lid on while simmering to ensure that the soup doesn’t evaporate too much liquid. If it does get thicker than you like, adjust by adding more water.
- Cooking Lentils: Check the lentils occasionally as they cook. Depending on the type and age of the lentils, cooking times can vary. You want them tender but not mushy.
🍤 What To Serve With Lentil Soup?
Serve lentil soup with Soda Bread or White Bread for dipping pair with Caesar Salad, balanced meal complement with a Lamb Curry or Grilled Shrimp for added variety and richness perfect for a wholesome dinner.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Lentil Soup?
- Refrigerate: Cool leftovers lentil soup to room temperature then transfer it to an airtight container store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Place cooled leftovers lentil soup in freezer-safe containers or bags leaving some space for expansion freeze for up to 6 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Lentil Soup?
- On The Stovetop: Heat leftovers lentil soup over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes stirring occasionall until hot.
- In The Microwave: Microwave leftovers lentil soup on high for up 2-3 minutes stirring halfway until thoroughly heated.
FAQs
Is lentil soup healthy?
Yes, lentil soup is highly nutritious. It’s rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals while being low in fat. It’s also a good source of complex carbohydrates, which provide sustained energy.
Are there different types of lentil soup?
Yes, lentil soup can be made in various ways using different types of lentils and flavorings. Common variations include red lentil soup, which tends to be smoother and creamier, and brown or green lentil soup, which is heartier and more textured.
Can I make lentil soup in advance?
Yes, lentil soup actually tastes better when made in advance as the flavors have time to meld together you can make a big batch and refrigerate or freeze portions for later use.
Can I add meat to lentil soup?
Yes, you can add cooked meat such as diced chicken, ham, sausage, or bacon to lentil soup for added flavor and protein. Simply cook the meat separately and add it to the soup before serving.
Can I make lentil soup spicy?
Yes, you can add spices like chili powder, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes to lentil soup to make it spicy. Adjust the amount of spice according to your taste preferences.
Can I make lentil soup in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
Yes, lentil soup can be made in a slow cooker or Instant Pot for added convenience. Simply follow your appliance’s instructions for cooking times and settings.
Try More Nigel Slater Recipe:
Nigel Slater Lentil Soup Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 220
- Protein:14 grams
- Carbohydrates: 35 grams
- Dietary Fiber:18 grams
- Total Fat: 3grams
- Saturated Fat: 0.8
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 300mg
- Sugars: 4grams
Nigel Slater Lentil Soup
Description
Nigel Slater’s Lentil Soup is made with lentils, onions, carrots, celery, and a blend of spices. It serves 6 people and takes about 45 minutes to prepare and cook, providing a hearty, nutritious meal with deep, savory flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Stir in cumin, coriander, turmeric, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the dried lentils and bay leaf to the pot, mixing well to combine everything.
- Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and the diced tomatoes with their juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover the pot.
- Let it simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender (cooking time may vary depending on the type of lentils).
- If the soup is too thick, add up to 2 cups of water to reach your desired consistency. Remove the bay leaf, and optionally, add lemon juice for added zest.
- Adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or spices if needed. Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro.
Notes
- Sautéing Aromatics: Don’t rush the sautéing of onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Taking time to soften these vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and flavors, which are foundational to the soup.
- Spice Adjustment: Feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste. If you like a bit more heat or flavor, you can increase the amount of cumin, coriander, or smoked paprika.
- Simmering: Keep the lid on while simmering to ensure that the soup doesn’t evaporate too much liquid. If it does get thicker than you like, adjust by adding more water.
- Cooking Lentils: Check the lentils occasionally as they cook. Depending on the type and age of the lentils, cooking times can vary. You want them tender but not mushy.