Alright, alright, let me tell ya ’bout this lentil soup. It’s called “quick easy lentil soup,” and quick it is, I tell ya. No fussin’ around with fancy stuff, just good eatin’.
First off, you don’t need to be doin’ no pre-cookin’ of them lentils. You hear that? Them little dried-up things? Just toss ‘em right into the pot. No soakin’, no nothin’. They cook right up in the soup in about 35 minutes, they say. I ain’t got no fancy timer, I just wait ’til they’re soft, you know?
Now, what goes in this soup? Well, the main thing is them lentils, of course. They’re good for ya, I hear. Full of that protein stuff and fiber. Keeps ya full, keeps ya goin’. Not too much fat neither, which is good for the ol’ ticker.
- One big ol’ onion, chopped up.
- Couple of carrots, sliced up nice.
- Couple of celery sticks, same deal, chopped up.
- Garlic, if you like it. I always throw in a clove or two, smashed up good.
Then you gotta have some broth. Chicken broth, vegetable broth, whatever you got. Water works too, in a pinch. I usually use that chicken stuff, gives it more flavor, ya know? And don’t forget the spices! I ain’t got nothin’ fancy, just some thyme and maybe a bay leaf if I can find it. Salt and pepper, of course. Gotta have salt and pepper.
Okay, so here’s how you make it. It ain’t rocket science, I tell ya. Get yourself a big pot, the biggest one you got. Throw in a bit of oil, heat it up. Toss in them onions, carrots, and celery. Cook ‘em ‘til they’re soft, maybe ten minutes or so. Then add in the garlic, stir it around for a minute, ‘til it smells good.
Next up, dump in them lentils. No washin’, no nothin’. Just straight from the bag. Pour in your broth, about six cups or so. Enough to cover them lentils good. Throw in your thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
Now, bring that pot to a boil, then turn it down low, let it simmer. That means it just bubbles a little bit, you know? Not boilin’ like crazy. Let it simmer for about 35 minutes, or until them lentils are soft. Like I said, I just taste ‘em to see if they’re done. If they’re still hard, keep cookin’. Ain’t no big deal.
That’s pretty much it. It’s a good, hearty soup, fills ya up right. And it’s cheap too, which is important. I ain’t got money to be wastin’ on fancy food, I tell ya. You can add other stuff if you want. Sometimes I throw in some chopped-up tomatoes, or a bit of spinach if I got it. Makes it even better for ya.
And another thing, this soup, it’s good for leftovers. Make a big pot on Sunday, eat it all week. Just gets better the next day, all them flavors gettin’ all mixed up together. Heats up good too. Just put it in a pot, warm it up, and you’re good to go. Faster than drivin’ to the store to get somethin’.
So there you have it. Quick, easy lentil soup. Nothin’ fancy, just good, plain eatin’. Keeps ya warm in the winter, fills ya up good. And that’s all that matters, right? Good food, that’s what I say.
One last thing, don’t be afraid to play around with it. Add whatever you like. That’s what cooking is all about. Making somethin’ good from what you got. And don’t forget the salt and pepper. Gotta have salt and pepper. Alright, I’m done talkin’. Go make some soup.
Tags: lentil soup, quick soup, easy soup, healthy soup, budget-friendly recipe, vegetarian soup, vegan soup, pantry staples, one-pot meal, weeknight dinner