Ok so this soup can actually go two ways – and I like them both equally, depending on my mood.
Soup one is veggie-lentil-ginger, and soup two is veggie-lentil-feta.
Soup one requires about an inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated, in with all the aromatic vegetables at the start.
Soup two requires nothing but an extra sprinkling of feta at the end, and perhaps a spoonful of tomato paste in amongst the liquids, at some point.
The choice is yours! But the choice for crunchy-on-the-outside, soft-in-the-middle cubed roast potatoes across the top shouldn’t really be a choice. I mean, I’m all for the regular bready kind (done right, I ain’t tryna come at those dry little depressed dice shit from a packet), but roasted potatoes are rad. They’re also gluten free, if you need, and an extra serve of veg. I’m all about it.
PrintRed Lentil Veggie Soup with Roasted Potato Croutons
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
Description
Make a big ole batch, it freezes well. Except the potato croutons, make those babies fresh.
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, peeled and diced
- 2 sticks celery (leaves attached), diced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 1 large parsnip, peeled and cut into chunks (woody stem removed)
- 1 large cob of corn, kernels cut off
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 head broccoli, chopped (including stem)
- 1 440g tin diced tomatoes
- 1 cup dry red lentils
- 1 small bunch kale, shredded, or a few handfuls of spinach
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 1.5 litres (6 cups) vegetable stock, water, or water and veggie stock powder/cubes
- salt and pepper
For the croutons
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced into uniform pieces
- Olive oil
- Salt
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, sweat the onion, garlic, carrots and celery over medium-low heat until soft and starting to pick up some colour – about 15-20 minutes. I don’t tend to rush this step (as it intensifies the flavour) but you can if you like.
- Add all the veggies, tomatoes, lentils, and stock and bring to a boil. As soon as it boils, turn it down to a simmer and leave it to do its thing about an hour. Check the water level as it will depend on what the lentils are doing, you don’t want it to be too thick.
- After an hour, get in there with a potato masher and smoosh up some of the veggies, leaving others in chunks. Check the water level again, depending on how thick you want the soup.
- Immediately add the kale and chopped parsley and simmer really gently until kale is cooked but not yet at that grey-green state. Taste for seasoning. Pre-heat your oven to about 200C/390F.
- In a baking tray, toss the cubed potatoes with some olive oil and salt. Roast them for about 15-20 minutes, turning often to ensure most of the sides are crisping up.
- Serve the soup with a sprinkle of the roasted potato croutons and some extra parsley.
Shari from GoodFoodWeek says
When I used to work at the University of Sydney, there was an awesome vegan cafe around the corner that did the best lentil soup topped with olives that they had grown and marinated themselves. Oh man, it was awesome. I feel like heading back there just to get a bowl!
Veggie Mama says
oh yes, olives should be in everything! On everything! In my mouth!
Vicki @ Knocked Up & Abroad says
Bloody hell that looks good. Like real wintery, healthy goodness. I wish it could be instantly in my belly.
Veggie Mama says
Haha me too, I’m so over cooking at the moment! I wish I’d frozen more of it *insert devastated emoji*