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.
Lentil soup provides nutrition beyond most things. They are low in calories, low in fats, and high in vitamins and minerals. Most nutritionists flag lentils as very high in health resources. In addition, they are perfect for vegans and those who are looking for gluten-free foods. They are high in fibers and antioxidants in vegetables, herbs, and spices.
The nutrient content of lentils make them very desirable and recommended by many nutritionists. They supply vital minerals, such as iron, phosphorus, and zinc. These are often hard to incorporate into the regular diet of many people. They are also very high in many B vitamins, vital to good health. All this makes them a healthy food that is beneficial in the diet.
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.
The soup can be made more like a stew by cooking it until somewhat dry and leaving the vegetables whole. Adding extra moisture, either as stock, water, or coconut milk and using a stick blender to pulverize the vegetables to make a creamy consistency to taste. Lentils are very versatile due to all the many things that can be done with it.
Some suitable aromatics that give lots of flavor are celery, garlic, and onions, different varieties of peppers, fresh ginger, and other things that are trademarks of a particular ethnicity. Soften them in olive oil to soften them, but not brown them. You just want to release the fragrant aroma, and release an enhanced flavor from the sauteing.
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.
There can also be added flavor in the cooking liquid. Chicken stock, vegetable stock, and beef stock are only some of the liquids used, in addition to water. Coconut milk gives a very rich unique flavor as well. While simmering, keep a pan of hot stock or coconut milk on the burner beside so you can add ladles of liquid when it gets thick, unless you want that consistency.
Lentil soup provides nutrition beyond most things. They are low in calories, low in fats, and high in vitamins and minerals. Most nutritionists flag lentils as very high in health resources. In addition, they are perfect for vegans and those who are looking for gluten-free foods. They are high in fibers and antioxidants in vegetables, herbs, and spices.
The nutrient content of lentils make them very desirable and recommended by many nutritionists. They supply vital minerals, such as iron, phosphorus, and zinc. These are often hard to incorporate into the regular diet of many people. They are also very high in many B vitamins, vital to good health. All this makes them a healthy food that is beneficial in the diet.
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.
The soup can be made more like a stew by cooking it until somewhat dry and leaving the vegetables whole. Adding extra moisture, either as stock, water, or coconut milk and using a stick blender to pulverize the vegetables to make a creamy consistency to taste. Lentils are very versatile due to all the many things that can be done with it.
Some suitable aromatics that give lots of flavor are celery, garlic, and onions, different varieties of peppers, fresh ginger, and other things that are trademarks of a particular ethnicity. Soften them in olive oil to soften them, but not brown them. You just want to release the fragrant aroma, and release an enhanced flavor from the sauteing.
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.
There can also be added flavor in the cooking liquid. Chicken stock, vegetable stock, and beef stock are only some of the liquids used, in addition to water. Coconut milk gives a very rich unique flavor as well. While simmering, keep a pan of hot stock or coconut milk on the burner beside so you can add ladles of liquid when it gets thick, unless you want that consistency.
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