Red lentil soup: so quick it's almost fast food.

A man may be a pessimistic determinist before lunch and an optimistic believer in the will's freedom after it... Aldous Huxley

Fifteen minutes of prep, 30 minutes to simmer. That's lunch.

Working at home today I looked at the clock and realized it was 1:00. I was starving and had very little food in the house. What to do?  Red Lentil Soup... my favorite fast food. 

Because this recipe requires little more than pantry staples (onions, garlic, carrots, tomato paste, broth, lentils and spices) I usually have on hand what it takes to make this satisfying and nutritious lunch.

I had a momentary panic today, however, when I looked in the fridge and did not see any carrots. Fortunately I remembered that I still had some in the garden. A quick trip out to pull a few carrots and snip a few spices and I was on my way.

This recipe comes from Melissa Clark and was published in the NY Times last January. I am sure I have made it fifteen times already and frankly, I can't get enough of it. What really makes it special is that it gets a squeeze of lemon (or lime) at the end and a sprinkling of cilantro (or parsley).

 

If you like a hearty yet healthy soup and are looking for a quickie... search no further!

Comments

[Monica]

I enjoy reading your posts, Denise! Say, where do you buy tomato paste in a tube? I hate buying a can, usually half of which gets moldy in the fridge!

[Denise]

Monica,
Thanks for reading the blog!
I find the tubes of tomato paste at Weaver's Way co-op and at Whole Foods Market. I think it is widely available but the trick is figuring out where they hide the tubes... they are often stocked with the anchovy paste.
See you soon,
Denise

[Monica]

Hi Denise -- I finally made the lentil soup for dinner last night. It was fantastic! In fact, I'm having some warmed up again for lunch right now. Thanks for sharing! M.

[Maleka]

I made this soup! And it was so good I want to make it every day! Thank you!