Making soup is one of the best methods of cooking lentils because it easily brings out the natural taste and flavor of such simple, cheap and traditional ingredient. By doing this, people can enjoy tasty homemade lentil soup recipes that are healthy, quick and easy to prepare for all types of occasions. Two of these are Italian-Style Lentil Soup and Lentil Soup with Brown Rice.
Italian-Style Lentil Soup
Italians are known for their superb skills in cooking. Such impressive characteristic is manifested clearly in this particular dish. This simple but tasty dish uses different types of fresh ingredients including 3-pieces of large tomatoes, 2-pieces of small zucchini and one finely chopped onion. Aside from these items, you also need at least a pound of sweet Italian sausage, 3-cups of water and ½-cup red wine. Additionally, be sure to bring a teaspoon of oregano, two stalks of celery and ½-cup of grated parmesan cheese. Do not forget to prepare ¾-teaspoon of salt, ¾-teaspoon of pepper and a piece of beef bouillon cube. Likewise, prepare 6-ounces of cooked lentils and 2-tablespoons butter. Get a large pot. Turn the stove on to medium-high heat. Put the butter and then melt it. Use it to sauté the chopped celery and onion. Once the ingredients are wilted, add the wine, zucchini, oregano, tomato as well as garlic. Simmer the dish without the cover for approximately 20 minutes. Occasionally stir the dish. After that, put the pepper, salt and water. Likewise, add the bouillon cube and lentils. Boil the dish and then allow it to simmer for about 30 minutes. If in the end the soup is too thick, simply add a small amount of water, approximately 1 to 2-cups. Get the skillet and then put it on top of a medium-heat stove. Add about 2 to 3-tablespoons of cooking oil. Once hot, add the sausage and cook it until brown. After that, drain it and cut to smaller pieces, preferably ½-inch each. Add the slices to the soup and then simmer over low-heat. Cover the pot and simmer the dish for at least 15 minutes. Top with parmesan cheese. Serve in separate bowls and enjoy.
Lentil Soup with Brown Rice
For this appetizing recipe, use a 4-quart Dutch oven. Set it to low heat. Put in ½-pack of onion soup mix, ½-teaspoon pepper and ½-teaspoon salt. After that, add a teaspoon of ground cumin, 6-cups of water, ½-cup of uncooked brown rice and ¾-cup dried lentils. Mix the ingredients and then boil. Put the cover on and then simmer the dish for 40 minutes more. Add 3-ounces of cut spinach, 2-tablespoons of snipped cilantro and 3-tablespoons of lemon juice. The dish is done once the strips of spinach are wilted. Serve to guests and enjoy.
