Rustic Lentil Vegetable Soup

This was so good last weekend, I decided to do it again this weekend and to blog about it.  It's almost all vegetables, very flavorful and satisfying. About a month ago I made an Egyptian Red Lentil Soup that was quite delicious, but this has some additional flavors and textures which make it even easier to make.

This makes quite a bit of soup, which is always a problem I like to have. It will freeze nicely if you want to put half of it away, but it can keep in the fridge all week too.  I packaged mine up in my Corningware covered mugs to take to work this week; easy, nutritious and filling for lunch.


I even used water instead of broth because there are so many flavors in this soup, you really don't need the extra flavor from the stock. If you don't like Curry or heat from Cayenne, use some other herbs and spices that you do like!

(Forgot to photograph the Canned Tomatoes)

Ingredients

Serves 6-8

1 Tbsp olive oil

4-5 small inner celery stalks, including leaves, chopped

1 large onion, purple or white, chopped

2 leeks, white and green (about 6" total), sliced thin and rough chopped

3 large carrots, quartered and chopped
1 jalapeno, minced (remove seeds)

1 cup red lentils

2 medium potatoes, small dice

1 14oz can diced tomatoes and juice

3 cloves garlic, minced or 1 tsp granulated garlic

1 tsp cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes

2 tsp curry powder

10 cups water

1/2 lemon, juiced or 1 Tbsp vinegar

Chop all the veggies as directed. Over medium high heat in a 6 qt, or larger, stock pot, add the olive oil and saute the veggies (everything except the potatoes) for 5-10 minutes until they are softened and the onions are starting to brown.  Add the canned tomatoes, lentils, diced potatoes, the 10 cups of water and the spices.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium low, cooking for 40-50 minutes until the lentils are soft and starting to break down.

Here's some of my other favorite soups that are full of veggies and good for you!
Broccoli, Cheddar & Potato Soup
Carrot Ginger Soup
Chilled Curried Mango Prawn Soup
Chilled Zucchini Buttermilk Soup
Curried Cauliflower Soup 
Gazpacho
Lazy Girl Crock Pot All Veggie Chili (Vegan too)
Mediterranean Tomato Soup 
Moroccan Vegetable Stew
Split Pea Soup