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Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Quickest Lentil Soup Ever




It looks like an exotic feast, but it was one of the quickest and easiest soups I ever made. Nourishing, delicious, and filling, you'll love this plant-based, oil-free, gluten-free, easy soup recipe. 

I created this recipe one night when I was hungry, and I had nothing prepared in the refrigerator for dinner except some plain rice. I looked around the kitchen to see what I could use to make soup and it turned out to be my quickest and easiest- no prep- soup recipe ever. 

I love it because it is healthy, delicious, oil-free, and filling. 

Lenses, Legumes, Food, Cook, Red Lentils


I realized that I had a jar of chunky organic salsa in the house which contains organic chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, spices, peppers, etc. - perfect ingredients for any soup.

Organic Thick & Chunky Mild Salsa - Simply Nature | ALDI US
Using the salsa, I made this 4 ingredient amazing soup which requires NO PREP, chopping, or cleaning veggies- only assembling. 

I used:
  • 1 16 ounce jars of organic chunky salsa from Aldi that has organic -onions, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, tomato juice, etc. (or any jarred chunky salsa of your choice)
  • 2 cup of lentils, washed (red, brown, or green)
  • 2 cups of any tasty vegetable broth
  • 2 empty salsa jars-full of water
I put everything into my 6 quart Instant Pot and set it to pressure cook for 9 minutes. When it was done, I let it sit for 10 minutes before manually releasing the steam. 

Spices, Shelf, Jar, Kitchen, Cooking

Season To Taste
When the soup is done, taste it and then add any seasonings you wish such as chopped cilantro, cumin, garlic powder, ground coriander or paprika. Truthfully I don't think it needs any additional seasoning- but that's up to you. The soup will taste great without any of the extra seasonings too. We sometimes like to add cumin powder.

I like to serve it on a pretty copper tray to make it somewhat exotic.

This quick and easy soup really hit the spot. For a more filling experience, you could add cooked rice to each bowl - I did. 
 
It was very filling and of course red, brown, or green lentils are full of healthy fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients.

Spices Add More Than Flavor 
Did you know that spices are little powerhouses full of antioxidants and nutrients and many have anti-inflammatory properties as well. It is so healthy to add a variety of spices to your food for more than just flavor. 

Curry, Powder, Hot, Spice, Food, Surface

This easy recipe is perfect for vegans, vegetarians, those who are gluten-free, dairy-free, kosher or just want to include more health giving plant-based meatless meals to their diet.

If time and effort is not an issue, you could add 2 sliced carrots and or 2 diced potatoes to the soup prior to cooking, you just might want to add another cup of water because of the extra veggies. 

Cost of this Frugal Healthy Meal
Just for fun, I decided to add see how much this meal (which could serve 5 or even 6) cost.

Grocery List 
Aldi Organic Chunky Salsa- $1.35
Red Lentils-$ .75 or less  
2 cups commercial organic vegetable broth $1.00 or less
2 cups of cooked rice divided and added to soup bowls $.50 or less 

Total: $3.60 or less for the entire recipe  - WOWIE serves 4-5 people


Plant-based eating can be easy, frugal, nourishing, filling, and delicious. 

Love Soup? 
Check out how to my new soups cookbook
Over 80 easy healthy recipes plus 80 inspirational quotes to motivate and inspire healthy eating and living. Makes a beautiful gift.

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My Notes: 

1. All my recipes posted on this blog have always been gluten free and vegetarian. As of February 2021 all my recipes are still gluten free but now they are also whole food plant-based vegan and oil-free.

2. Did you see the documentary Forks Over Knives?

The documentary will help you understand WHY plant-based eating helps people feel better, reduce or eliminate symptoms of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure etc. It's available to rent at a very low cost online or go to the Forks Over Knives website to  success stories to read about real people who had lots of medical issues were able to reduce or eliminate symptoms.

This wonderful soup with rice and a salad is an example of a plant-based dinner. 




12 comments:

  1. Budget friendly, comforting and delicious! I like to make mine with some curry or warming spices.

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  2. It won't be long before it's soup season where I live. I'll keep this in mind!

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    Replies
    1. Jeff,
      Every season is soup season for me. I just love soup and do make a few chilled soups (which are like smoothies in the summer too)

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  3. Soup season is on the horizon again.

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  4. An exotic feast indeed! This first pic looks like the cover of an autumn cooking magazine! So homey and cozy. :)

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    Replies
    1. So funny. It's actually the professional photo I used for my cookbook.. It really is beautiful.

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  5. i love red lentils and it's a great idea to add rice to bulk it up.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I find that adding rice makes it a very filling meal. However, it's certainly really good without adding additional rice.

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  6. Rasta sauce from a jar really is a handy ingredient — so is salsa!

    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  7. Quick, easy and cheap! It's a winner all round!!

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  8. I love flavor shortcuts like jarred salsa and sauces! You soup looks delicious. Thanks for sharing it with Souper Sundays this week. ;-)

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  9. Looks yummy! Thanks so much for linking up at A Themed Linkup 71 for Healthy Recipes. Pinned!

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Your comments are appreciated. I love knowing who is stopping by to read my posts! Have a great day.