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Simple French Lentil Soup

A comforting and hearty vegetarian soup made with lentils, vegetables, and aromatic herbs, perfect for chilly nights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: French, Vegetarian
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils (rinsed)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 leaf bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cups spinach (optional) Add in the last 5 minutes of cooking if desired.

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another minute.
  3. Pour in the rinsed lentils and the vegetable broth. Add the thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
  4. Increase the heat to high until the mixture reaches a boil, then reduce the heat to low to let it simmer.
  5. Allow the soup to simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. If using spinach, stir it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
  7. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon.

Notes

This soup stores beautifully! It lasts about 4-5 days in the fridge or can be frozen for longer storage. When reheating, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm on the stove.