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comforting lentil soup recipe

Soul-Warming Hearty Lentil Soup

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A rich and comforting lentil soup made with smoky ham hock, tender lentils, and aromatic vegetables. This hearty soup develops incredible depth of flavor as it simmers, creating the perfect cold-weather meal that's both nourishing and budget-friendly.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 pounds smoked ham hock
  • 10 cups water
  • 2 carrots scraped and sliced
  • 2 ribs celery chopped with leaves
  • 1 large onion peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup dry lentils rinsed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 6 peppercorns
  • 0.5 teaspoon thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large stock pot
  • Cheesecloth or metal tea ball
  • Food processor (optional)

Method
 

  1. Create a bouquet garni by wrapping bay leaves, whole cloves, garlic clove, dried parsley, peppercorns, and thyme in cheesecloth or placing in a metal tea ball.
  2. In a large stock pot, combine ham hock, water, carrots, celery with leaves, onion, lentils, and the bouquet garni.
  3. Cover and simmer gently for about 1 hour, or until lentils are tender.
  4. Remove and discard the bouquet garni.
  5. Remove the ham hock, cut away the meat, and discard the bones.
  6. Optional: Process about half the soup in a food processor until smooth, then return to the pot.
  7. Return the reserved ham meat to the pot.
  8. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Notes

Green or brown lentils work best as they hold their shape while cooking. The soup can be made ahead and reheats beautifully - flavors often improve the next day. For a vegetarian version, substitute the ham hock with mushrooms. Add a splash of vinegar at the end for brightness, or stir in fresh spinach or kale in the last 5 minutes of cooking for added nutrition. Serve with crusty bread or grilled cheese sandwiches.

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