Saturday 12 May 2018

How To Plan A Nourishing Meal Using Easy Lentil Soup

By Roger Peterson


The long, slow simmering most soups and stews require to develop optimum flavor is not necessary when cooking with lentils. Easy lentil soup recipes give that same flavor with only approximately 35 minutes cooking time with lentils. Aromatics and spices give it that desired flavor, with the different spices and aromatics giving different flavors.

The nutrition supplied by lentils is better than most any food. Calorie consumption is low, it low fat, and has lots of essential vitamins and minerals. Nutritionists tout lentils as a very high nutrient. They are great for vegans and for those requiring to be gluten-free. They are high fiber, and with the vegetables, herbs and spices that are high in antioxidants, they have an added bonus.

Several important nutrients can be found in lentils. The vitamin B content is very high in them. Other important minerals, such as iron, phosphorous, and zinc are found in them. Some of these nutrients are not easily found in the normal diet. This makes lentils one of the healthiest foods.

One of the main complaints about lentils is that they have no flavor. They are very mild and bland. This fact makes them able to be flavored with a variety of spices and aromatics to give it a unique flavor. Many different ethnic flavors can be made by what is added to them, such as Thai, Lebanese, Indian, and American. It can be made into a highly flavored dish by using a goodly amount of EVOO.

If you prefer a more stew-like soup, then letting it cook until it has less liquid, then leaving the vegetables in chunks will give it that consistency. To make it more soupy or creamy, add extra liquids and pulverizing it with a stick blender. It can be make more liquid with stocks, water, or coconut milk. The versatility of lentils gives many options.

The aromatics that help give lentils their flavor include carrots, onions, celery, garlic, an assortment of different peppers, ginger, and anything else that will define the ethnicity you wish to emulate. Use EVOO to soften the aromatics without browning them. Just steam then over a low simmer until soft and the onions are translucent. Then add the desired spices and continue to steam until the aroma is released, meaning the flavor is enhanced.

Another common soup vegetable that can be used is tomatoes. Roasted tomatoes are often used to give a greater flavor. Many cultures us them in making any soup, but with lentils they can sometimes sort of overpower the delicate flavor. So it is best to test using tomatoes in different amounts to see if you like them in the dish or not.

The stock or cooking liquid used also adds extra flavor. Stocks include chicken, vegetable, and beef stocks, in addition to certain amounts of water. Another liquid that gives lots of a special flavor is coconut milk. When cooking, keep a pot of stock heating on the back of the stove. As it looks dry, add some of the hot liquid, unless you wish it to be extra thick.




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