Stove Top Method – Slow Cooker Method
Lentil Soup is definitely one of my favorite soups to make and serve during the long winter months. In fact it is my go-to soup for the cold winter nights. There is nothing better tasting than a pot of homemade soup that has been simmering all day. So easy-to-make, very healthy, and so good! Think of this recipe as a guide and method to making your own homemade soup. You can add any herbs, spices or veggies that you’d like and make it your own. This soup also freezes very well.
Lentils are also a traditional New Year’s meal in Italy, and Hungary. The plumping of the lentils represent the expanding wealth for the New Year.
Stove Top Cook Time: 2 hours
Slow Cooker Cook Time: 4 hours on high, 8 hours on low
- Ham, pork bone, or bacon pieces to taste*
- 2 cups or 1 (16-ounce) package dried lentils
- 6 cups Chicken Stock (homemade or purchased)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup carrots, grated or chopped
- 4 tablespoons butter*
- 1 teaspoon thyme, dried, crushed
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and white pepper to taste
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In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, combine either ham, pork bone, or bacon pieces, lentils, and chicken broth; bring just to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until lentils are soft.
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Remove 2 cups of cooked lentils and place into food processor or blender bowl; let cool 5 minutes (if you do not let cool slightly before processing, mixture will explode out of container and make a mess in your kitchen). After cooling, whirl until pureed. Stir pureed lentils into soup mixture.
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In a medium frying pan over medium-high heat, saute onion and carrots in butter. If using bacon, saute the vegetables with the bacon but do not completely cook the bacon, just saute until the onions are limp and not brown. After sauteing, add to the lentil soup. Add thyme, nutmeg, salt, and white pepper; simmer another 30 minutes.
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Remove from heat and serve in soup bowls.
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Makes 6 to 8 servings.
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Preheat the Slow Cooker (Crock Pot).
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In a medium frying pan over medium-high heat, saute onion and carrots in butter. If using bacon, saute the vegetables with the bacon but do not completely cook the bacon, just saute until the onions are limp and not brown. After sautng, add to the lentil soup.
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Add sauteed vegetable mixture, meat, dried lentils, chicken broth, and seasonings to the preheated slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours or until lentils are soft and all vegetables are tender.
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Remove 2 cups of cooked lentils and place into food processor or blender bowl; let cool 5 minutes (if you do not let cool slightly before processing, mixture will explode out of container and make a mess in your kitchen).
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After cooling, whirl until pureed. Stir pureed lentils into soup mixture. Once blended, pour back into the crock pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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Makes 6 to 8 servings.
* I like to purchase a small ham shank, but a pork bone could also be used. If using bacon in the soup, butter does not have to be use as the vegetables can be sauteed with the bacon.
Categories:
Bean Soup Dried and Canned Bean Recipes Pork Stew and Soups Slow Cooker Soup Recipes Slow Cooker Vegetables Winter