One thing that I have never really done before, that I have been doing with this cookbook, is READING it. By “reading”, I mean actually READING it. Turning the pages, reading the words, taking it all in and most of all, learning from it. There is so much information in this cookbook, so much more than just recipes. I really don’t feel like I will be able to remember all of this, but let’s hope at least a smidgen of his knowledge will stay with me.
This brings me to my soup for this week: Lentil Soup. I planned this not knowing which specific recipe I would make, but was inspired by numerous bloggers who had made their own versions. I had a idea of what I wanted my Lentil Soup to be like, so while there was some great ones out there, I wasn’t finding exactly what I was looking for.
I wanted my Lentil Soup…
- to be hearty and thick, somewhat like the consistency of my Split Pea Soup
- to have a spiciness and the flavors of Mexican cuisine
- to possibly include bacon, although I was considering this being vegetarian
- to use items that I already had on hand (very important)
The result was my own creation – a cross between a Lentil Soup recipe by Alton Brown and one from Rick Bayless. And you know what? It turned out really good! Most of the recipe is based upon Alton Brown’s Lentil Soup version on the Food Network website, but the addition of bacon and Mexican oregano comes from Rick Bayless’s Mexican Kitchen cookbook. The use of the Rotel and Muir Glen tomatoes was my own idea, mostly because I wanted them to help give the spicy and smoky flavor, but also because I had them on hand. I made some other changes, mostly regarding the amount of celery, carrots, and onion and omitted some of the spices that I didn’t have. The following is exactly how I made it:
Robust Lentil Soup
Adapted from recipes by Alton Brown and Rick Bayless
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
2 teaspoons salt
4 slices bacon, cooked and cut into pieces (I used Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon)
1 pound lentils, rinsed and picked through
1 can Rotel tomatoes, gently drained (10 oz – I used the “hot” diced tomatoes with habaneros, but use mild if you like less heat)
1 can diced tomatoes, gently drained (14.5 oz – I used Muir Glen Organic Fire Roasted)8 cups chicken broth (could use vegetable broth)
1 teaspoon Mexican oregano, crushed
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
1. Heat olive oil in large pot. When hot, add the onion, carrot, celery and salt and cook until the onions are translucent. Stir in cooked bacon.
2. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook at a low simmer until the lentils are tender, about 35 – 45 minutes.
4. Turn off heat. If you have a stick blender, you can puree to desired consistency. If you don’t have a stick blender (I do not have one), allow soup to cool for about 15 minutes and then pulse about half of the soup in a blender until blended. I did this in two batches in my blender; be sure to only fill your blender up about halfway and place the cover on it. I usually cover the top of the blender with a folded kitchen towel and apply pressure as I am pulsing the soup in short bursts of power. Combine the blended soup with the unblended soup and serve.
I do have to say that I wish I hadn’t blended quite so much of the soup – maybe a tad bit less – but it was still good. I served this with some crusty French bread and there were no leftovers – even Mattie, who thought it was a bit spicy, ate a full bowl of it and told me that it was yummy.
Oh! And I must mention that this is the first time I have ever cooked with lentils! Another cooking first for me. I think the next time I cook with them I will make some sort of lentil burgers — a homage to my mom who used to make lentil burgers ALL the time when I was a child (and I fussed about eating them).
So that’s all for now – have a great weekend everyone!
no_idea says
I MUST try this! We are a family who loves soup, I'm always on the lookout for new ones. Thanks for the idea! 🙂
KristieMcNealy says
Looks delicious! I saw the episode where Alton Brown makes his soup not too long ago, and was googling his recipe when I found your post. I think I'll have to steal a few of your ideas 🙂
Mary says
This really does look good. We need a new food category called simply satisying :-). I found your blog by chance but will be back often. I really like what you are doing here.
ARUNA says
Soup looks gorgeous!!
marla {family fresh cooking} says
Isn't it funny how the food we fussed about as kids are now our favorites! This lentil soup looks great!! I like that you blended it, I have never done that to mine. With the cookbook reviews I too have been reading the text, not just the recipes…amazing what you learn from the author!