Description
Hearty lentil soup with paprika & kale brings warmth from Mediterranean kitchens, blending earthy legumes with smoky spice. Comforting layers of kale and rich broth invite you to savor each spoonful of this nourishing culinary embrace.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups dried green lentils, rinsed
- 8 cups (1.9 liters) vegetable broth, plus more as needed
- 3 cups (85 grams) chopped kale
- 1 (14-ounce or 400 grams) can diced tomatoes
Vegetables:
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Oils:
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Initiate the flavor foundation by warming olive oil in a robust Dutch oven, introducing diced onion and celery. Gently sauté until the vegetables soften and become translucent, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Incorporate minced garlic, allowing it to bloom momentarily, then sprinkle in cumin, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to create a vibrant spice profile.
- Introduce diced carrots to the aromatic mixture, ensuring they are thoroughly coated with the spice blend. Fold in lentils and diced tomatoes, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
- Pour vegetable broth into the pot, seasoning once more with salt and pepper. Elevate the heat to trigger a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover partially and allow the soup to develop depth, stirring periodically and skimming any foam that surfaces.
- Transform the soup’s texture by utilizing an immersion blender to partially puree, creating a rustic, slightly chunky consistency. Alternatively, extract a portion of the soup and blend in a countertop blender before reintegrating.
- Delicately fold chopped kale into the simmering liquid, allowing it to wilt and become tender. Adjust the soup’s viscosity by incorporating additional broth if needed, and fine-tune the seasoning to achieve a perfect balance of flavors.
- Ladle the aromatic, nutrient-rich soup into waiting bowls, ready to warm and nourish.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting smoked paprika and cumin for personal heat preference.
- Optimize texture by partially blending soup, creating a rustic, hearty consistency with some whole lentils remaining.
- Enhance nutritional value by using different leafy greens like Swiss chard or spinach as kale alternatives.
- Boost protein content by adding cooked quinoa or diced tofu for vegetarian and vegan diet adaptations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg