08 Dec What’s for dinner? Rose’s Italian Lentil Soup
Consider purchasing organic lentils – I get mine from Full Circle Market in Winchester, Kentucky. They carry organic herbs and spices – more fresh and affordable than the supermarket. Check them out www.fullcirclemarket.com
Rose Watt is my friend and an amazing cook – this is her recipe. I remember popping over to her house one day and the aroma from the kitchen was amazing. After one taste, I was hooked. Rose grew up in upstate NY and her parents owned a corner store and served amazing authentic Italian meals using recipes from what’s she calls the “old country” in Italy. I am so sure that on the days they made this lentil soup, there was a line outside the door. Enjoy!
· 1 ½ cups of red organic lentils – rinse
· 1 chopped onion
· 1 can of tomato paste
· 3 cloves of garlic or more depending on your taste
· 1.5 TBSP of olive oil (she put in 3 TBSP)
· 1 package of fresh spinach chopped
· 1/2 – 1 cup of large pearl couscous *
· 1 box or large can of vegetable or chicken broth
· 1 ½ cups of red organic lentils – rinse
· 1 chopped onion
· 1 can of tomato paste
· 3 cloves of garlic or more depending on your taste
· 1.5 TBSP of olive oil (she put in 3 TBSP)
· 1 package of fresh spinach chopped
· 1 cup of large pearl couscous
· 1 box or large can of vegetable or chicken broth
Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil for two minutes and add rinsed lentils and the can of paste and sauté while stirring for 5 minutes. Add broth and same amount of water as broth and simmer for 4 hours or longer — the softer the lentils the better.
In the last 1/2 hour add chopped spinach. In a separate pot, boil 1 cup pearl couscous in a separate pot and cook as package directs. Add cooked couscous to lentils. Add water to thin if needed. Garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Garnish with Romano or Parmesan. (Serves 6 – 8) This soup is better leftover. Thin with water and heat.
* You do not have to use the couscous – It’s a tiny pasta that smoothes out the texture of the lentils. I use 1/2 cup in my soup. You can find in the rice, pasta aisle in most large groceries.
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