How to Make Lentil Soup

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Lentils are sold in many varieties and colors: split, whole, brown, green, black, red, white, French. For the most tender, toothsome lentil, one that won't fall apart in soup, stick with the brown, green, or French (also called "puy") variety.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A 4 to 5 qt. heavy soup pot
A small skillet
1 c. dried lentils, washed
1 bay leaf
3 to 4 sprigs of fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, if you must)
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 celery stalk, diced
5 to 6 c. chicken or vegetable stock
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tsp. minced garlic
Salt and pepper
Plain yogurt for garnish

Step 1: Start soup

Put the washed lentils, bay leaf, thyme, carrots, celery, and stock in the pot over medium high heat and bring to a boil.

Step 2: Reduce heat

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, add salt and pepper to taste, and let the soup cook gently, stirring from time to time.

Step 3: Cook onion

In the skillet, add the olive oil and turn the heat to medium. When the oil is hot but not smoking, add the chopped onion and cook until translucent and soft but not coloring—about two minutes.

Step 4: Cook garlic

Add the garlic to the skillet with the onion and cook for another minute, until the garlic is fragrant.

Tip: If the garlic burns, don't think it will just blend in—it won't. Garlic becomes noticeably bitter when burnt.

Step 5: Add garlic/onions to soup

After the lentils are tender to the bite—depending on the variety you use that could take anywhere from 25 to 40 minutes—remove the bay leaf and the thyme branches and stir in the onion-garlic mixture to the pot.

Step 6: Thin soup if too thick

If the soup gets too thick, thin it by adding a little more stock until you reach the consistency you prefer. If necessary, season with more salt and pepper.

Step 7: Garnish

If you like, add a dollop of plain yogurt just before serving. Et voila: a bowl of fresh lentil soup.

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• soups

[Aviv36]

Man I'm so bored..

[kaanxxx]

Howcast is recruiting 8 year old narators now?

[damienjameszimbrick]

anyone else notice that she called the green lentils *french* also?

[berner]

If you have the thyme, you can make this tasty dish!

BOOYAH!

[LeoAlonzoHodgson]

I work in a cafe and my Ingredients with Lentil is just Lentils, Onion, Veg Broth, Couman, and salt and pepper, THATS IT! My customers loves it.

[gordon777777]

Looks good. Personally, I wouldn't put yogurt in it though. Nice to see that you don't blend it into a pablum like some people do.

[awesome220]

@Dostanio Are you developmental disabled?

[rayinpv]

Garlic was added along with the onion then both were added to the soup.

[Dostanio]

no garlic? our traditional lentil soup varies significantly (arabic one)