**Lentil, Celery, and Tomato Minestrone: A Hearty and Flavorful Italian Classic**
Minestrone is a classic Italian soup that is known for its hearty and comforting flavor. This recipe features lentils, celery, and tomatoes as its main ingredients, creating a rich and flavorful broth. The addition of vegetables like carrots, onions, and garlic adds depth and texture to the soup, while the use of herbs and spices, such as thyme, oregano, and basil, imparts a distinctly Italian flair. The soup is simmered until the lentils are tender and the vegetables are cooked through, resulting in a satisfying and nourishing meal. This recipe also includes variations, allowing you to customize the soup to your liking. Whether you prefer a vegetarian version or want to add protein with the inclusion of beans or pasta, this versatile recipe has you covered. So, gather your ingredients and let's embark on a culinary journey to create a delightful and comforting bowl of lentil, celery, and tomato minestrone.
CLASSIC MINESTRONE SOUP
Warm up with this vegetarian minestrone soup! This classic minestrone soup recipe is healthy, easy to make, and tastes incredible. It's vegan, too, if you don't top it with cheese. Recipe yields 6 bowls or 8 cups of soup.
Provided by Cookie and Kate
Categories Soup
Time 1h5m
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Warm 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, tomato paste and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have softened and the onions are turning translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Add the seasonal vegetables, garlic, oregano and thyme. Cook until fragrant while stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes and their juices, broth and water. Add the salt, bay leaves and red pepper flakes. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper.
- Raise heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil, then partially cover the pot with the lid, leaving about a 1" gap for steam to escape. Reduce heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Cook for 15 minutes, then remove the lid and add the pasta, beans and greens. Continue simmering, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until the the pasta is cooked al dente and the greens are tender.
- Remove the pot from the heat, then remove the bay leaves. Stir in the lemon juice and remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Taste and season with more salt (I usually add about 1/4 teaspoon more) and pepper until the flavors really sing. Garnish bowls of soup with grated Parmesan, if you'd like.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 bowl (made with potatoes and no Parmesan), Calories 298 calories, Sugar 9.7 g, Sodium 924.2 mg, Fat 10.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 45.6 g, Fiber 10.4 g, Protein 9.8 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
STEWED LENTILS AND TOMATOES
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories side-dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions, carrots and fennel and cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions start to brown. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Meanwhile, rinse and pick over the lentils to make sure there are no stones in the package.
- Add the tomatoes, lentils, chicken stock, curry powder, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pan. Raise the heat to bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer covered for about 40 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Check occasionally to be sure the liquid is still simmering. Remove from the heat and allow the lentils to sit covered for another 10 minutes. Add the vinegar, season to taste, and serve hot.
LENTIL MINESTRONE WITH GREENS
A number of greens work well in this hearty Italian dish. Chard and turnip greens are growing in my garden, so those are ones I'm using now, but I wouldn't hesitate to use kale, either.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, weekday, soups and stews, main course
Time 1h15m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot over medium heat, and add the onion and carrot. Cook, stirring, until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add half the garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir together for a minute, just until the garlic is fragrant, and add the tomatoes and their liquid. Turn up the heat slightly and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the lentils, water and bouquet garni, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Add the remaining garlic, salt to taste and add the greens. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 15 minutes. Add freshly ground pepper, taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in the pasta, and continue to simmer until the pasta is tender, five to 10 minutes. Remove the bouquet garni and serve, passing grated Parmesan at the table.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 260, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 43 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 1080 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams
LENTIL VEGETABLE SOUP
Provided by Ina Garten
Time 2h5m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large bowl, cover the lentils with boiling water and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drain.
- In a large stockpot on medium heat, saute the onions, leeks, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are translucent and very tender. Add the celery and carrots and saute for 10 more minutes. Add the chicken stock, tomato paste, and lentils. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, until the lentils are cooked through. Check the seasonings. Add the red wine and serve hot, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with grated Parmesan.
LENTILS WITH TOMATOES
A Middle Eastern dish with a deliciously simple taste. Serve with rice, couscous, or whatever you like.
Provided by Mary Hansen Smith
Categories Side Dish Beans and Peas
Time 1h30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a pot, bring the water to a boil, and stir in the lentils. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes; drain.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and saute the green bell pepper and onion until tender. Mix in the tomatoes, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the lentils, reduce heat, and simmer 25 to 30 minutes, until the lentils are tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 265.9 calories, Carbohydrate 32.5 g, Fat 10.9 g, Fiber 11.8 g, Protein 12.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 17.3 mg, Sugar 7 g
Tips:
* Use a variety of vegetables to add flavor and nutrients to your minestrone. Some good choices include carrots, celery, onions, zucchini, and spinach. * If you don't have any fresh vegetables on hand, you can use frozen or canned vegetables instead. Just be sure to drain and rinse them before adding them to the soup. * To make your minestrone more hearty, add some cooked beans or lentils. You can also add some cooked pasta or rice. * If you want to make your minestrone ahead of time, you can cook it and then let it cool completely. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to serve, simply reheat the soup over medium heat until it's warmed through. * Garnish your minestrone with some fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, or parsley. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. ###Conclusion:
Lentil-celery-and-tomato minestrone is a delicious, hearty, and healthy soup that's perfect for a cold winter day. It's also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this soup is sure to become a family favorite. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this minestrone a try. You won't be disappointed!
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