Vegetable & Lentil Soup – The Hug Your Sweater Never Gave You
Is your sweater secretly plotting against you? Fear not—this soup is here to warm your bones, fill your belly, and make your taste buds do a happy dance. Perfect for days when your socks keep disappearing and your coffee goes cold. Let’s cook!
Ingredients (Serves 4-6):
- 1 onion (chopped; tears optional)
- 2 carrots (diced; bunny-approved)
- 2 celery stalks (sliced; no strings attached)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced; vampire repellent included)
- 1 cup brown lentils (rinsed; no pebbles, please)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz; juice included—no judgment)
- 6 cups vegetable broth (or water + 2 bouillon cubes)
- 1 tsp cumin (for that “oh, fancy!” factor)
- 1 tsp paprika (smoky or sweet—your call)
- Salt + pepper (to taste; channel your inner salt-bae)
- 2 cups chopped kale/spinach (because greens = adulting points)
- Olive oil (1 tbsp; or butter for rebels)
Instructions:
- Chop veggies. Onion, carrots, celery. Size doesn’t matter—unless you’re in a hurry. Then, smaller = faster soup.
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery. Sauté 5 minutes. Pretend the onions aren’t making you cry.
- Add garlic, cumin, paprika. Stir 1 minute. Your kitchen now smells like a spice market. You’re welcome.
- Toss in lentils, tomatoes, broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, simmer 20 minutes. Lentils should soften but still hold their dignity.
- Stir in kale/spinach. Cook 5 more minutes. Greens wilt. Soup turns heroically green.
- Season with salt + pepper. Taste. Adjust. Pretend you’re a Michelin judge.
Pro Tips (Because You’re Fancy Now):
- Too thick? Add broth/water. Too thin? Simmer longer. Soup obeys patience.
- Swap kale for frozen peas. No one will notice. Promise.
- Top with Parmesan or yogurt. Cheese makes everything better. Science says so.
Serve With: Crusty bread. Because soup without bread is like a joke without a punchline. Sad.
Why This Soup Wins?
It’s cheap. It’s healthy. It survives fridge leftovers. Also, it pairs well with sweatpants. You’re welcome. 🥄
