Lemony Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium white onion, peeled and diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 6 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
• 1 1/2 cups red lentils, rinsed and picked over
• 2/3 cup whole-kernel corn
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• (optional) pinch each of saffron and cayenne
• zest and juice of 1 small lemon
• fine sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper

Method

1. Stovetop Instructions:
2. Sauté the veggies
3. Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add onion and carrots and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent. Add garlic and sauté for 1 more minute, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.5 min timer
4. Simmer
5. Stir in the vegetable stock, lentils, corn, cumin, curry powder (plus saffron and cayenne, if using) until combined. Continue cooking until the soup reaches a simmer. Then cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are completely tender.15 min timer
6. Blend (optional)
7. Using either a hand blender or traditional blender, puree the soup until it reaches your desired consistency. (If using a traditional blender, please see notes below.)
8. Season
9. Stir in the lemon zest and juice until combined. Taste and season the soup with a generous pinch or two of fine sea salt and black pepper, as needed.
10. Serve warm, garnished with an extra fresh lemon slice if desired.
11. Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Instructions:
12. Sauté the veggies (optional)
13. Press the “Sauté” button on your Instant Pot. Add oil and let it heat until shimmering. Add onion and carrots and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent. Add garlic and sauté for 1 more minute, stirring occasionally, until fragrant. Press “Cancel”.5 min timer
14. Cook
15. Stir in the vegetable stock, lentils, corn, cumin, curry powder (plus saffron and cayenne, if using) until combined. Cover the pot and set vent to “Sealing”. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes, followed by a quick release.8 min timer
16. Blend
17. Using either a hand blender or traditional blender, puree the soup until it reaches your desired consistency. (If using a traditional blender, please see notes below.)
18. Season
19. Stir in the lemon zest and juice until combined. Taste and season the soup with a generous pinch or two of fine sea salt and black pepper, as needed.
20. Serve warm, garnished with an extra fresh lemon slice if desired.
21. Slow cook
22. Add onion, carrots, garlic, vegetable stock, lentils, corn, cumin, curry powder (plus saffron and cayenne, if using) to the bowl of a large slow cooker, and stir to combine. (No olive oil needed.) Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours, or on low for 5-6 hours, until the lentils are completely tender.180 min timer
23. Blend
24. Using either a hand blender or traditional blender, puree the soup until it reaches your desired consistency. (If using a traditional blender, please see notes below.)
25. Season
26. Stir in the lemon zest and juice until combined. Taste and season the soup with a generous pinch or two of fine sea salt and black pepper, as needed.
27. Serve warm, garnished with an extra fresh lemon slice if desired.