Easy Lentil and Spinach Soup with Spices Recipe

As autumn arrives, the air grows crisp and leaves turn colors. Nothing warms the soul like a homemade soup. This Easy Lentil and Spinach Soup with Spices is perfect for cold days. It’s full of vibrant colors, bold flavors, and a rich texture, making it a family favorite.

My mother used to make a similar soup, filling our home with delicious smells. It was more than just food; it brought us together. Now, I’m excited to share this recipe with you, so your family can enjoy the same comfort and memories.

Introduction to Hearty Lentil and Spinach Soup

Discover the Mediterranean’s flavors with our spicy lentil spinach soup. This vegan soup is full of healthy ingredients that feed both your body and soul. It’s inspired by the Middle East, blending spices, greens, and lentils for a delicious taste.

Health Benefits of This Mediterranean-Inspired Soup

This soup is a nutritional gem. It’s loaded with fiber, protein, and vitamins and minerals. Lentils give you plant-based protein, while spinach adds antioxidants and fights inflammation. It’s a great choice for a healthy diet.

Why This Recipe Works for Busy Home Cooks

This soup is quick to make, with prep time at just 15 minutes. It cooks in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. You can make it in a slow cooker or on the stovetop, fitting your schedule and cooking style.

Quick Overview of Preparation Time

This recipe makes 8 servings, perfect for meal prep or sharing. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients and a straightforward method. Enjoy a tasty and healthy soup in no time.

Essential Ingredients for Your Soup

Making a tasty and healthy comfort food like lentil and spinach soup is all about the ingredients. This nutritious one-pot meal combines key elements for a delicious and plant-based soup.

Red lentils are at the core, offering protein and fiber. Spinach adds vitamins and minerals. Carrots, onions, and garlic add a rich aroma. Tomatoes add a bit of acidity, balanced by spices like cumin, coriander, oregano, and basil.

For cooking, olive oil is used for sautéing. Vegetable stock or water is for simmering. A bit of vinegar can boost flavors. You can use fresh or frozen spinach, based on what you have.

With these ingredients, you’re ready to make a comforting and healthy lentil and spinach soup. It’s a dish everyone will love.

Kitchen Tools and Equipment Needed

To make a tasty lentil and spinach soup with Mediterranean spices, you’ll need some basic kitchen tools. This plant-based dish is easy to make. But, the right cookware is key to getting the perfect texture and flavor.

Essential Cookware

• A large soup pot or Dutch oven: This will be your main pot for cooking the lentils, spinach, and spices. Choose one that’s at least 5.5 quarts.
• A sharp chef’s knife: A good knife makes chopping veggies fast and easy. This ensures all parts of the soup cook evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial for the right flavor balance in the lentil soup. Keep your measuring tools ready.

Optional Tools for Convenience

While not essential, some extra tools can make cooking easier and more enjoyable:

1. Food processor: This tool can quickly chop veggies, saving you time and effort.
2. Immersion blender: For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to puree some of it.

With the right tools, you’ll be ready to make a delicious lentil and spinach soup. It’s perfect for both experienced cooks and those new to plant-based recipes. This soup is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Preparing Your Ingredients

Before making a tasty olive oil soup, vegetarian soup recipe, or hearty lentil soup, you need to prepare your ingredients. Let’s get into the details:

Begin by chopping onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Make sure they’re finely diced for even cooking and flavor. Next, rinse and sort the lentils, removing any debris. If using fresh spinach, wash it well and chop it into small pieces.

Soaking the lentils in water for 10-15 minutes can make cooking faster. This step softens the lentils and cuts down cooking time.

1. Chop onions, carrots, celery, and garlic into small pieces.
2. Rinse and sort through the lentils, removing any debris.
3. If using fresh spinach, wash and chop it into bite-sized pieces.
4. Measure out the spices, such as turmeric, cumin, curry powder, and paprika, and have them ready to go.
5. For faster cooking, soak the lentils in water for 10-15 minutes before draining and adding to the pot.

By properly preparing your ingredients, you’re on your way to a delicious lentil soup. It will surely impress your taste buds.

Lentil and Spinach Soup with Spices: Step-by-Step Cooking Method

Get ready to make a tasty spicy lentil spinach soup that will excite your taste buds! This protein-rich vegan soup brings the flavors of the Middle East to your table. Follow these steps for a soup that’s both flavorful and healthy.

Sautéing the Aromatics

Start by heating a big pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add some olive oil and cook the onions, carrots, and celery until they’re soft, about 5-7 minutes. This step is key to building the aromatic middle eastern soup base.

Adding Spices and Lentils

After the aromatics are fragrant, add the garlic and spices like cumin, paprika, and coriander. Let the spices toast for a minute or two. Then, add the lentils and vegetable stock. Bring it to a boil, then simmer for about 45 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

Incorporating Spinach and Final Seasoning

In the last 10 minutes, add the diced tomatoes and fresh spinach leaves. This lets the spinach wilt and the flavors mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add lemon juice or vinegar for extra flavor.

Follow these steps to make a delicious and healthy spicy lentil spinach soup. The mix of lentils, spinach, and spices creates a satisfying and aromatic middle eastern soup experience.

Customizing Your Soup’s Flavors

This healthy comfort food recipe is perfect for making it your own. Start by tweaking the spice level. Add more cumin, paprika, or red pepper flakes for heat. Or, cut down on spices for a milder taste.

Want to make it even healthier? Try swapping out carrots for sweet potatoes. Or mix brown and red lentils for a fun texture. You can also add chopped kale or chard for a new twist on the plant-based soup.

For a creamier soup, blend some of it before adding spinach. This thickens the broth and adds richness. Top it off with fresh cilantro or parsley for a burst of color and flavor.

“Lentils, whether brown, green, red, or black, are rich in vegan protein, fiber, iron, folate, and zinc.”

With a few tweaks, you can turn this healthy comfort food into your favorite dish. Enjoy the freedom to make a nutritious one-pot meal that’s just right for you.

Storage and Reheating Guidelines

Your delicious lentil and spinach soup with Mediterranean spices is great for busy days. But what about leftovers? We’ve got easy tips for storing and reheating to keep your soup fresh and tasty.

Freezing Instructions

This hearty lentil soup recipe is perfect for meal prep and freezing. Cool the soup completely, then put it in airtight containers or freezer-safe bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Best Practices for Leftovers

For fridge leftovers, store the soup in an airtight container for 4-5 days. If it’s too thick, add a bit of broth or water. This will make it just right again. Heat it up in the microwave or on the stovetop.

With these tips, you can enjoy this Mediterranean-inspired lentil soup for longer. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or a cozy dinner.

Proper storage is key to keeping your lentil soup’s flavor and texture. Follow these guidelines to enjoy this plant-based recipe for days.

Nutritional Information and Health Benefits

This hearty lentil and spinach soup is not just tasty but also very nutritious. A single serving has about 320 calories, 52g of carbs, 18g of protein, and only 4g of fat. It’s also packed with 22g of fiber, which is great for your digestive health and keeps you feeling full.

Lentils are the main ingredient and are full of plant-based protein and fiber. Spinach adds even more nutrients, like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and folate, along with minerals like iron and potassium. This makes the olive oil soup a real hearty lentil soup that’s good for your body.

This vegetarian soup recipe is not just healthy but also tastes great. Lentils help build and repair muscles, and the fiber aids in digestion. Spinach adds antioxidants and vitamins, making this olive oil soup a nutritious choice.

“Lentils are among the earliest crops cultivated by humans, dating back to 8,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent area.”

If you want more plant-based protein or a comforting, nutritious soup, this hearty lentil soup is perfect. It will make you feel full and energized.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Make the most of your spicy lentil spinach soup by adding tasty sides. Serve it hot, topped with fresh coriander or creamy yogurt. Pair it with crusty bread, a salad, or roasted veggies for a full meal.

For extra crunch, try adding crispy croutons or toasted pumpkin seeds. These touches can make your soup even better.

Recommended Pairings

• Freshly baked and crusty bread, such as Turkish Pide or no-knead rosemary bread
• Refreshing Italian chopped Brussels sprouts salad
• Creamy Middle Eastern eggplant dip (Mutabal)
• Vibrant roasted beet hummus with pita chips
• Flavorful vegan parsley pesto with hazelnuts
• Whipped goat cheese for a rich and tangy contrast

For a more filling meal, add quinoa, cannellini beans, or wheat berries to your spicy lentil spinach soup. These add protein and fiber, enhancing the dish.

Pair your aromatic Middle Eastern soup with naan bread, pulled pork, or other tasty options. It’s sure to delight your taste buds.

Tips for Perfect Results Every Time

Making a tasty lentil and spinach soup is an art. With a few tips, you can make healthy comfort food every time. Don’t overcook your lentils to avoid a mushy texture. Keep an eye on them and taste the soup to get the right bite.

Seasoning is crucial for the full flavor of this nutritious one-pot meal. Adjust the seasonings as you go, adding salt, spices, or herbs to taste. To add depth, toast the cumin seeds before adding them to the soup.

If your plant-based soup gets too thick, don’t worry. Just add a bit more broth or water. Adjust the seasoning to keep the flavors balanced.

Using top-notch vegetable stock makes a big difference in flavor. Also, try different lentil types to see how they change the soup’s texture and taste.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcooking the lentils, resulting in a mushy texture
• Failing to taste and adjust the seasoning throughout the cooking process
• Not toasting the cumin seeds to enhance the aroma and depth of flavor
• Allowing the soup to become too thick without thinning it with additional liquid

Professional Chef Recommendations

1. Use a high-quality vegetable stock as the foundation for your soup
2. Experiment with different lentil varieties to discover unique textures and flavors

“My new favorite recipe! Hearty, fragrant, delicious and even loved by my six year old. Definitely made with love! I am now making it for a second time and I almost always just try recipes once for creative fun. Thank you!”

– Jamine, Satisfied Reader

Conclusion

This Lentil and Spinach Soup with Spices is great for any time of year. It’s perfect for meal prep and fits many diets. You can also make it your own by adding your favorite spices.

The mix of protein, fiber, and nutrients in this lentil soup makes it a healthy choice. It’s perfect for busy people and families. This plant-based diet friendly soup is both nourishing and tasty.

Try this easy recipe and enjoy its delicious flavors and health perks. This lentil soup will make your meals better and keep you full and energized.