Ina Garten's Lentil Vegetable Soup(Vegetarianized)

Sharon123's Note:

From the Barefoot Contessa show To Go, then tweeked just a leeetle to make it vegetarian. It is warming and rib sticking good. Yum! Sometimes in a pinch, I use ketchp instead of tomato paste, but you could also add a can of Rotel tomatoes instead(use about 1/2 cup less broth). If you like, change it up a little bit and add 4 cups of potatoes. If you cook it a few days earlier then you intend on serving it, it will taste even better and thicken. Freeze the leftovers in quart containers to thaw out later for a quick dinner. I think this would also be good with some soy chorizo added.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 0 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 8

• 1 lb french green lentil (or brown)
• 4 cups yellow onions, diced small (3 large onions)
• 4 cups leeks, white part only, diced small (2-3 leeks-if I don't have I use scallions-about 8, the green and white parts-could also use shallots)
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced small (optional)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 1/4 cup good olive oil, plus additional for drizzling on top
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt (if you use regular salt, use less, about 1 1/2 tsp)
• 1 -1 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (go easy at first-you can always add more, but you cant' take it away)
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leave (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 1/2-1 teaspoon ground cumin (some like to use curry powder or chili powder for a change)
• 3 cups small diced celery (8 stalks)
• 3 cups small diced carrots (4 to 6 carrots)
• 3 quarts vegetable stock
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 -2 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or red wine)
• freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, cover the lentils with boiling water and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drain.
2. In a large stockpot(7 qt.) on medium heat, saute the onions, leeks, red peppers, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are translucent and very tender.
3. Add the celery and carrots and saute for 10 more minutes.
4. Add the vegetable stock, tomato paste, and lentils and bay leaf. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour(or a little more to taste), until the lentils are cooked through.
5. Check the seasonings.
6. Add the red wine vinegar and serve hot, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with grated Parmesan.
7. Good served with a salad and popovers!

Reviews

[Sage]

What a great soup! With only 2 of us I cut it in 1/2 and I had soup for our lunches for the week. I made it in my slow cooker and didn't use olive oil; at the end I added 2 Tblsp of my homemade pesto.A keeper!
Rita

[mama smurf]

What a wonderful tasty dish! I cut the recipe in half and followed the rest of the instructions...Used homemade chicken broth. Will be making this again. Made for Zaar Cookbook Tag game.

[Boomette]

This soup is so good. I made half the recipe and I'm glad cause it still gives a lot. I used green lentils. I didn't have to simmer 1 hour. It was ready in almost 30 minutes. I used chicken broth. And also I didn't use red wine vinegar and parmesan. It's so good without that. Thanks Sharon :) Made for PRMR tag game