Lentil Tomato Soup

Lentil soup is sort of like black shoes for me. Every time I think I’ve found the best there is, I start my search all over again. Certainly there is more out there, right? This pantry dinner is easy to prepare and makes a satisfying meal paired with a green salad and crusty herb garlic bread.

  • 1 cup dried tomatoes (not packed in oil)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 celery stalk, finely diced
  • 2 large carrots, trimmed and finely diced
  • 1 cup French green lentils, rinsed and picked over
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1-14.5 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
  • Black pepper
  • Kosher salt

  • Rehydrate the dried tomatoes by putting them in a small bowl and filling it with hot water. Set aside, allowing tomatoes to soften in the water while you begin cooking the vegetables.
  • In a large stock pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about a minute. Garlic will be fragrant but should not brown. Add the onion and stir, cooking just until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the celery and carrots and continue cooking for another 2 minutes. Add the lentils, bay leaf, broth, diced tomatoes and their juice and a sprinkle of fresh pepper. Drain the dried tomatoes, cut them into long strips if they are large, then add them to the stock pot. Turn heat up to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 35 to 40 minutes, or until lentils are tender but not mushy. Remove the soup from the heat and taste seasonings. Add salt to taste (I added 1/2 teaspoon and that was just right). Serve hot.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 45 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 4

3 responses to “Lentil Tomato Soup”

  1. Camille Warmington says:
    November 13, 2011 at 12:19 am

    Awesome! I added 4 oz pancetta thinly sliced when sautéing the onion as well as a bit if red pepper flakes and a half a dark ale. We are empty nesters and can spice things up a bit! Love your site. Very well organized and recipes are well tested.

    Reply
  2. Dan Morrison says:
    February 10, 2012 at 11:57 pm

    Neva made this the other night and it was awesome! Going to be a staple in our house.

    Reply

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