Thursday, May 10, 2018

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.

Lentil soup provides nutrition beyond most things. They are low in calories, low in fats, and high in vitamins and minerals. Most nutritionists flag lentils as very high in health resources. In addition, they are perfect for vegans and those who are looking for gluten-free foods. They are high in fibers and antioxidants in vegetables, herbs, and spices.

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.

One of the main complaints about lentils is that they have no flavor. They are very mild and bland. This fact makes them able to be flavored with a variety of spices and aromatics to give it a unique flavor. Many different ethnic flavors can be made by what is added to them, such as Thai, Lebanese, Indian, and American. It can be made into a highly flavored dish by using a goodly amount of EVOO.

The soup can be made more like a stew by cooking it until somewhat dry and leaving the vegetables whole. Adding extra moisture, either as stock, water, or coconut milk and using a stick blender to pulverize the vegetables to make a creamy consistency to taste. Lentils are very versatile due to all the many things that can be done with it.

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.

There can also be added flavor in the cooking liquid. Chicken stock, vegetable stock, and beef stock are only some of the liquids used, in addition to water. Coconut milk gives a very rich unique flavor as well. While simmering, keep a pan of hot stock or coconut milk on the burner beside so you can add ladles of liquid when it gets thick, unless you want that consistency.




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