Introduction:
Indulge in the rich flavors of Spanish cuisine with our Vegan Spanish-Style Lentil Soup recipe. Bursting with aromatic herbs, savory vegetables, and hearty lentils, this comforting soup is a delightful blend of textures and tastes. Whether you’re craving a cozy meal on a chilly evening or looking to add more plant-based goodness to your diet, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings and nourish your body. Let’s dive into the details of how to prepare this delicious dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Lentils: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add Vegetables: Add the diced carrots, celery, and bell peppers to the pot, and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Seasoning: Stir in the smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried thyme, and bay leaf, and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Simmer Soup: Pour in the vegetable broth and diced tomatoes with their juices. Add the rinsed and drained lentils to the pot. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
- Adjust Seasoning: Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Ladle the Spanish-style lentil soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Information:
- Serving Size: 1 cup of soup
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 480mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 30g
- Dietary Fiber: 10g
- Sugars: 5g
- Protein: 9g
Smart WW Points:
- Each serving of this Vegan Spanish-Style Lentil Soup is calculated to be 5 SmartPoints per cup. Savor the delicious flavors of Spain while staying on track with your wellness goals.