Hearty Bowl- French Green Lentils Soup

Lentils are delicious .This meal-in-a-bowl is simple, filling and nutritious. You can make it a complete meal by adding a salad, flatbread or a boiled quinoa or brown rice. I am not sure if everyone have pressure cooker! If not, following is the link from amazon:

Pressure cooker

If not, in a large saucepan combine 5 cups cool water and 1 pound lentils. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender, stirring occasionally.

• For brown, French, and yellow lentils- allow 25 to 30 minutes for cooking time.
• For red lentils – allow 5 to 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

• • 1 pound French green lentils

( I used this brand: Red Lentils )

• 1 whole bay leaf
• 1 cups chopped onions
• 1 cup packed spinach
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3-4 cloves)
• 1teaspoon olive oil
• Salt as per taste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped cilantro leaves
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3 cups medium-diced celery (5-6 stalks)
• 3 cups medium-diced carrots (4 to 6 carrots)
• 1 quarts water
• 1/4 cup tomato (freshly chopped)
• 1 fresh lemon
• Heaping 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika- optional

Method:

1. 1. Pressure cook for 2 whistles with 1 liter of water, salt, and a bay leaf.
   2. Alternatively, in a large bowl, boil the lentils with enough water salt and bay leaf for 25-30 minutes.
   3. In a large pot on medium heat, add olive oil.
   4. Add cumin seeds and let them crackle.
   5. Add garlic, ginger and sauté for a minute.

Note: I use mortar and pestle to grind ginger and garlic as juices oozes with stone griniding gives so much flavor!!!

1. Now add the chopped onions. Sauté for another minute.
2. Add all the chopped vegetables, I added celery, carrots, spinach, zucchini; you can add leeks, beans or any other vegetable you like. Sauté until translucent and very tender.
3. Add heaping 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika if you like the smoky flavor.
4. Normally, I sauté for 10 more minutes.
5. Add the water and chopped tomatoes.
6. Now add boiled lentils and add water as desired ( depends of how soupy you want)
7. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 20minutes or until tender or cooked through.
8. Check the seasonings. Garnish with cilantro.
9. Add the lemon juice and serve hot.