Easy Lentil Soup

• servings: 4 servings
• total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons grated zest and 2 tablespoons juice from 1 to 2 lemons

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

6 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 large leek, white and pale green parts only, finely chopped (about 1 cup)

1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)

1 large carrot, peeled finely diced (about 1 cup)

2 stalks celery, finely diced (about 1 cup)

1 pound dried brown or Puy lentils

2 bay leaves

2 quarts homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock or vegetable stock

Directions

Combine lemon zest, parsley, garlic, and half of olive oil in a medium bowl and stir with a fork until homogenous. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.

Heat remaining olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add leek, onion, carrot, and celery and cook, stirring frequently, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add half of parsley-lemon mixture and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add lentils and stir until coated in oil. Add bay leaves and stock. Bring to a boil, reduce to a bare simmer, cover with lid slightly cracked, and cook until lentils are completely tender and falling apart, about 1 hour, adding water as necessary (lentils should be fully covered at all times).

Using a hand blender, blend soup until as smooth as desired. Alternatively, transfer half of soup to a standing blender, blend until smooth, and fold back into remaining soup. Whisk in lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve, drizzling extra lemon-parsley mixture on top of each serving. Soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: Makes about 2 quarts, se
• Calories: 339 kcal
• Total Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 1638 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 17 g
• Dietary Fiber: 3 g
• Total Sugars: 6 g
• Protein: 9 g