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Friday, January 22, 2010

'L' is for Lentils and Leeks















... as in warm lentil leek soup!

Ingredients:
  • 1 tbs. olive oil
  • 3 big leeks (white and light green parts only), cut into 1/2 inch half-moons
  • 28 oz. can whole tomatoes, drained
  • 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 bunch Swiss chard or kale, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup brown lentils, dry
  • 1 tbs. fresh thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • cayenne pepper to taste
  • Feta cheese (optional, but OH SO GOOD!)

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot set over medium heat. Add leeks and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.

2. Add tomatoes and cook another 5 minutes or until tomatoes break apart.

3. Add six cups of water and bring to a boil. Stir in sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, lentils, thyme, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Lower heat, cover pot and let simmer about 20 - 30 minutes, or until sweet potato and lentils cooked through.



5. ENJOY with a sprinkle of feta and a little more cayenne on top!

Mini-Review
At first I didn't like this soup... a little too sweet for me. But once I added more black pepper, salt, red chili flakes and cayenne pepper I totally loved this soup! Despite not having any meat in the dish, this is a very hearty and filling soup because of all the fibery (is that a word?) veggies. The original recipe called for Parmesan cheese but since I didn't have any I substituted feta and it was delish!!

Things I'd do the next time:
  • add a can of whole kernel corn
  • use only one sweet potato and one regular potato
  • more swiss chard
  • add a cup or two of chicken broth in place of one or two cups of water
  • add barley
  • more lentils
  • cook it with a mild, white fish

6 comments:

Kristina said...

It all sounds so good when you put it together and see the pic....but I have never been able to get myself to eat Lentils or Leeks....no reason why (I have never tried either)..I may now though. lol

Kyle said...

Sounds yummy, you cookin' fool!

Thanks!

Salina Lyn said...

Yum. I'm totally puting that on my menu for next week. Thanks. :)

Amy said...

Please come cook for me. I'm domestically challenged. True, sad story.

I'll give it a try though!

Beth @ Kitchen Minions said...

Ohh what a good way to use up the lentils we have around!

Boomer said...

You make all your dishes look so good!