Lentil Soup

Original Recipe by Cook with Manali

Prep time: 15 minutes || Cook time: 30 minutes || Serving: 45 minutes || Rating 9/10

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 medium carrots, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 3 stalks green onion, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 inch ginger, chopped
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) fire roasted tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup brown lentils
• 5 cups broth or water
• 4-5 sprigs thyme
• 1.5 cups of greens, chopped (collard greens, spinach, kale)
• 1 lemon juice, to taste (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pot. Once the oil is hot, add the bay leaf. Saute for few seconds.
2. Add the carrot, celery, green onion, white onion, ginger and garlic. Saute until softened (about 4 to 5 minutes).
3. Add a can of fire roasted tomatoes and stir. Cook for 2 minutes
4. Add the cumin, salt, cayenne and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute.
5. Add the lentils, broth and sprigs of thyme and stir. Bring it to a boil. then put to medium-low to simmer until lentils are softened but still hold their shape (about 30 minutes).
6. Add greens and stir. Cook until the leaves are wilted (about 2 to 3 minutes).
7. Add lemon juice, if using. Ztir.