Let’s face it. Most things really are better with bacon.
The key to getting a lot of flavor into this soup is the bacon, and also using either a good, home made stock, a high-quality store bought stock, or a combination of the two. No hard, dried little flavor cubes!
Here is how I make my truly mouth-watering, Lentil Soup.
FIRST
Boil 1 cup of dried, quick cooking lentils in about twic 2-1/2 times as much liquid.
Add 2 small cloves garlic, minced.
(If you need or want more liquid, go ahead. I just add more if I think I need it.)
For liquid/broth, I use a combination of good quality beef stock and my own, delicious, super healthy bone broth, if I have some.
My lentils take about 20-25 minutes to really soften up so you ca get these bubbling away on the stove top while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
WHILE YOUR LENTILS COOK…
Peel and dice a medium potato (I used red but removed the peel). You can set these to boil about 15 minutes OR you can toss them in to boil with the lentils for the last 15 minutes of lentil cooking. Peeled and diced potatoes will not require that much time to soften and you don’t want them too mushy.
NEXT…
In a frying pan, sauté 6 strips of bacon, cut up (I use scissors leaving all the fat right in the pan as the bacon sizzles away.
- Slice 2 small or 1 medium carrot
- Dice 1 stick celery
- Chop 1/4 cup of onion
By now, your bacon is nearly done so toss the carrot, celery and onion into the bacon pan and cook for about 5 minutes.
FINISHING UP
When the lentils are soft and the potatoes are cooked (i.e., easily stabbed with a fork), add the bacon and vegetable mixture and every drop of bacon fat. Salt and pepper to taste.
TIPS: For a heartier meal, add chunks of sauteed ham or bratwurst. You can also add some of the tender celery leaves, chopped, for additional flavor.
The better your broth, the more flavorful your soup will be. I recommend reading up on the health benefits of your grandma’s good, old fashioned bone broth. Real bone stock imakes a pivotal difference not only on how flavorful your soup will be, but how healthy!
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