Red Lentil and Kale Soup

Another Sunday afternoon and I was making my Leek and Potato soup for dinner. I was at the point where I needed it to simmer until the potatoes were soft but I still wanted to cook. I took a look in the fridge and I had some Kale to use up. I was going to go with the Kale and Spanish Chorizo soup but I didn't have Chorizo so I decided to make up something on the fly and this is what I came up with!




Ingredients:
1 - Cup Beef Broth
1 - Cup Water
1 - Cup Red Lentils
2 1/2 - Cups Kale, Chopped
1 - Red Pepper, Chopped
1 - Tbsp Cumin
Salt and Pepper




Directions:
Add the Beef broth and water to a large pot and bring to a boil.

Rise off the Red Lentils and add to the beef broth once it starts boiling.

Reduce the temperature to low and simmer for about 20 minutes.

 Chop up the Red Pepper.

Chop up the Kale into small pieces.

Add the Red Pepper, Kale, Cumin, Salt and Pepper the Pot.

Cut up some bread to serve on the side.

Scoop and serve!

Potato Carrot and Barley Soup

Sometimes I just like to create. I was making the Moroccan Table Lentils dish for something new to try and I had this feeling that the kids probably wouldn't eat it so I decided to make them a soup.




Ingredients:
6 - Small Potatoes
3 - Medium Carrots
1/2 - Cup Pearl Barley
1/2 - Onion
6 - Cups Chicken Stock

Directions:
Peel the Potatoes and Carrots.

Chop the potatoes, carrots and onion then add to large pot. Rinse the barely and add to the pot.

Add in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer and cook for 30 minutes.

Serve with buttered bread.

I thought this tasted great as it is but you can add salt and pepper for some added taste.

Moroccan Table Lentils

I saw this recipe on "The Lentil Hunter" and I wanted to try it. It's the perfect dish for dipping with pita bread, naan bread or a nice soft loaf of bread.




Ingredients:
1/2 - Cup Brown Lentils
1/2 - Cup Red Lentils
1/2 - Can Diced Tomatoes
1/2 - Diced Onion
1 - Tbsp Ginger Powder
1 - Tbsp Paprika
1 - Tbsp Cumin
1 - Tsp Turmeric Powder
1 - Tsp Cinnamon
1 - Tsp Black Pepper
1 - Tsp Salt
3 - Cups of Beef Broth
1 - Tbsp of Parley leaves

Directions:
Rinse off the Brown Lentils.

Rinse off the Red Lentils.

Put the Lentils in a large shallow pan.

Add in the Diced Tomatoes.

Add the Onions.

Add the Ginger, Paprika, Cumin, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Black Pepper and Salt.

Pour in the Beef Broth.

Mix together.

Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes.

Scoop into a bowl and sprinkle with parsley.



Serve with Pita and Naan bread

Roasted Red Pepper and Red Lentil Soup

It was a little cool and windy outside today so it was the perfect weather for making a soup! This is a Roaster Red Pepper and Red Lentil Soup. Red lentils cook differently for green or brown lentils as they break down a lot quicker when cooking but that makes them perfect for soups. Also, even though this is called "Roasted Red Pepper..." you can use orange peppers too :)




Ingredients:
1 - Cup Red Lentils
4 - Cups of Vegetable Stock (to keep this a vegetarian dish)
2 - Large Red Peppers (or Orange)
1/4 - Large Onion (white, yellow or spanish)
4 - Cloves of Garlic




Directions:
Rinse your lentils under water (this is a must or they just taste bitter).

Add the lentils to 4 cups of stock, bring to a boil (you don't have to boil first) then lower the temperature to low and simmer for 20 ish minutes or until the lentils are nice and soft. Turn off heat and leave covered.

(I generally use beef broth as I like the flavor it gives the lentils but I had about 2 cups beef and 2 cups of chicken stock so I mixed them together.) 

Slice up your peppers.

Put the peppers into a small sauce pan.

Slice up the onion.

Pu the onions in the sauce pan, drop in a big scoop of butter then put it on the stove top on medium heat. Saute for about 10 minutes or until the everything goes soft and translucent.

While that is sauteing, peel and chop up your garlic.

 

When the peppers and onion are pretty much ready, put in the garlic and cook for 1 or 2 minutes more.

The lentils should look something like this (I know, not as bright red as you would have expected.)

 

Pour in the peppers, onion and garlic mixture.

Stir together.

Pour into a blender.

(Ninja Blender) 

Blend until smooth.

Pour into a large serving bowl.

Serve with a fresh loaf of bread.

And for a little bit of a different flavor, add in a little scoop of sour cream, then mix together and enjoy!

(I hate when the sour cream doesn't float like it supposed too...)