| Lentil soup is a nourishing and satisfying dish but it is | | | | wine and thyme for flavor. This soup has a really good |
| better with or without ham? Actually, that depends on | | | | taste and missing the meat does not mean you will be |
| the recipe. If you are using ham, it will add a nice meaty | | | | missing out on any of the flavor. |
| flavor to the dish and also some saltiness. | | | | What you will need: |
| If you are not using meat to make your lentil soup | | | | - 1 lb French green lentils |
| recipe, you might want to add some other flavors to | | | | - 3 minced cloves garlic |
| compensate. The following two recipes show you | | | | - 5 diced carrots |
| how to make the best lentil soup with or without ham. | | | | - 8 diced stalks celery |
| Recipe for Lentil Broth with Ham | | | | - 1/4 cup tomato paste |
| The following recipe serves six people. The addition of | | | | - 1 tablespoon salt |
| ham adds a meatiness that is missing in meat-free lentil | | | | - 2 chopped leeks (white part only) |
| broth recipes. If you have a meaty bone to use up, do | | | | - 1 teaspoon ground cumin |
| not give it to the dog - make this tasty soup instead! | | | | - 3 chopped yellow onions |
| What you will need: | | | | - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling |
| - 1 big ham hock or a meaty ham bone | | | | - 2 tablespoons red wine or red wine vinegar |
| - 1 cup chopped celery | | | | - 3 quarts chicken broth |
| - 6 cups water | | | | - 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper |
| - 2 teaspoons salt | | | | - 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried |
| - 1 cup chopped onion | | | | thyme |
| - 1 1/2 cups dried lentils | | | | - Grated parmesan, to serveHow to make it: |
| - 1 bay leaf | | | | Put the lentils in a bowl and cover them with boiling |
| - 1 teaspoon white sugar | | | | water. Let them sit for fifteen minutes, then drain the |
| - 2 cups sliced carrots | | | | water off. Saute the leeks, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, |
| - 1/4 teaspoon black pepperHow to make it: | | | | cumin, and thyme in the olive oil in a big pot over a |
| Add everything to a big pot and cover it. Bring the | | | | moderate heat for twenty minutes, and then add the |
| mixture to a boil then turn down the heat and let it | | | | carrots and celery. Cook for ten minutes more. |
| simmer for about an hour or until the lentils are tender. | | | | Add the tomato paste, lentils, and chicken broth. Cover |
| Remove the hock or bone and take the meat off it. | | | | the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Turn the heat |
| Chop the meat and return it to the pot. Discard the | | | | down and simmer the soup uncovered for an hour or |
| bay leaf. | | | | until the lentils are tender. Add the red wine or red wine |
| Recipe for Meat-Free French Lentil Soup | | | | vinegar and adjust the seasonings. Serve the soup hot, |
| This broth does not contain ham but it does contain | | | | drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with parmesan |
| plenty of tasty vegetables, as well as garlic, cumin, red | | | | cheese. |