French Canadian Lentil Soup

green lentils

🥗Healthier: red lentils

💰Cheaper: split peas

Red lentils cook faster and are often less expensive.

vegetable broth

🥗Healthier: homemade vegetable stock

💰Cheaper: water with seasonings

Homemade stock is lower in sodium and more flavorful.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil has a high smoke point and is heart-healthy.

smoked paprika

🥗Healthier: regular paprika

💰Cheaper: cayenne pepper

Regular paprika offers a milder flavor, while cayenne adds heat.

Heat 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a favorite soup pot over low heat.

Add chopped leek (white part only) and diced yellow onion; sauté until translucent.

Add chopped fennel bulb and sauté until fragrant.

Add 4 bay leaves and toss everything together.

Increase heat and add chopped carrots and celery; sauté for about 5 minutes.

Add 4 teaspoons of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt; sauté to combine flavors.

Add 1 cup of white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any brown bits.

Add 1 pound of rinsed red lentils and toss to combine with the vegetables and spices.

Pour in 5 cups of water and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and let simmer for about 20 minutes or until lentils are tender, adding more water if necessary.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary