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How To Plan A Nourishing Meal Using Easy Lentil Soup

By Roger Peterson


Long, slow simmering is usually a trait of luscious soups. But no so with easy lentil soup. It only takes about 35 minutes to cook the lentils. Strong aromatics give flavor that keeps a long simmering unnecessary. This soup is enjoyed in most cultures. The difference in flavor is due to the different spices, cooking liquids, and aromatics used.

The nutrition supplied by lentils is better than most any food. Calorie consumption is low, it low fat, and has lots of essential vitamins and minerals. Nutritionists tout lentils as a very high nutrient. They are great for vegans and for those requiring to be gluten-free. They are high fiber, and with the vegetables, herbs and spices that are high in antioxidants, they have an added bonus.

Lentils are very high in several nutrients that are sought by many. They have very high amounts in the various B vitamins. They also are high in vital minerals like iron, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. These are some of the minerals that are often hard to obtain in the normal American diet. It is evident that one of the healthiest foods might be lentils.

Lentils have a very mild flavor, many people claim no flavor at all. This makes it possible to make the lentil soup with ethnic flavors. Any strong spices and aromatics give it a different flavor. There is Thai, Italian, Lebanese, Indian, Mexican, Ethiopian, American, and just a strongly flavored soup with lots of EVOO to give it flavor.

If you prefer a stew in preference to a thinner soup, it is possible to have that, too. Just let it cook a little drier and leave the vegetables in chunks. To make a thinner soup, or a creamy one, add extra stock, water, or coconut liquid and blend with a stick blender to make the mixture as creamy as you want. Lentils are so versatile that you can do many things with them.

Some suitable aromatics that give lots of flavor are celery, garlic, and onions, different varieties of peppers, fresh ginger, and other things that are trademarks of a particular ethnicity. Soften them in olive oil to soften them, but not brown them. You just want to release the fragrant aroma, and release an enhanced flavor from the sauteing.

Another item that enhances the flavor of lintels, as with other foods, is the versatile tomato. Roasted tomatoes are preferable as they give a richer flavor. In many cultures tomatoes are a given for any soups or stews, but if not used carefully they can overpower lentils. Try tomatoes in varying amounts to see what pleases you, or just leave them out if that is preferable to you.

The stock or cooking liquid used also adds extra flavor. Stocks include chicken, vegetable, and beef stocks, in addition to certain amounts of water. Another liquid that gives lots of a special flavor is coconut milk. When cooking, keep a pot of stock heating on the back of the stove. As it looks dry, add some of the hot liquid, unless you wish it to be extra thick.




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