Description
Hearty Mediterranean lentil soup brings comfort and nourishment to winter meals. Rich with Mediterranean herbs and vegetables, this soup offers a delightful culinary experience you can savor with crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) cubed potatoes (4–5 small potatoes)
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced into coins
Legumes and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
- Pinch of salt (adjust to taste based on veggie broth saltiness)
Liquid and Toppings:
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable stock
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) sour cream
- Optional: Fresh herbs for garnish
Instructions
- In a spacious pot, warm olive oil over medium-high heat, gently sautéing onions, garlic, and celery until aromatic and softened, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce diced potatoes and carrots to the fragrant mixture, stirring to coat with oil and allowing vegetables to develop slight caramelization for enhanced flavor depth.
- Sprinkle thyme and marjoram into the pot, then carefully pour vegetable stock, ensuring herbs are evenly distributed throughout the liquid.
- Add lentils to the simmering liquid, cover the pot, and reduce heat to low. Allow the soup to gently simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until lentils become tender and vegetables are perfectly cooked.
- After removing from heat, let the soup rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and slightly cool.
- Incorporate cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and creating a rich, creamy consistency.
- Extract a small portion of soup without vegetables and whisk sour cream into this liquid, then reintegrate the mixture back into the main pot to create a smooth, velvety texture.
- Optional: Use an immersion blender to partially puree approximately one-quarter of the soup, creating a more luxurious and creamy mouthfeel.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to personal preference.
- Serve piping hot, garnished with freshly chopped herbs for a vibrant and aromatic finishing touch.
Notes
- Customize Heat Level Adjust the spiciness by adding red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for those who enjoy extra warmth.
- Protein Boost Enhance the soup’s nutritional value by stirring in cooked quinoa or adding diced tofu for a protein-packed meal.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation Replace cheddar cheese with nutritional yeast and use coconut cream instead of sour cream to create a vegan-friendly version.
- Storage Tip The soup tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to meld, making it perfect for meal prep and batch cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg