It’s been a long time since I’ve expressed myself through Real Food Love. But recently, I was inspired to take pictures while cooking a lentil soup for my family. It’s a simple but delicious meal that is rich in vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and protein. My son loves it, and he has pretty good taste. So it’s a winner in my book.
A little note about lentils, borrowed from The Cooks Thesaurus
Like other legumes, lentils are low in fat and high in protein and fiber, but they have the added advantage of cooking quickly. Lentils have a mild, often earthy flavor, and they’re best if cooked with assertive flavorings. The brown lentils hold their shape after cooking, but can easily turn mushy if overcooked. Before cooking, always rinse lentils and pick out stones and other debris. Unlike dried beans and peas, there’s no need to soak them. Lentils cook more slowly if they’re combined with salt or acidic ingredients, so add these last.
Onions and garlic are the backbone to most of my soups. I sauteed them in olive oil until the onions were translucent. Then, I added water and lentils. While the lentils cooked, I prepared tomato puree and fried a plantain.
I peeled the skin off of the tomatoes by first placing them in boiling water until their skins began to fold.
I put the tomato puree aside to allow the lentils to cook through. Meanwhile, I fried some golden ripe plantains in peanut oil. They add a touch of sweetness to the soup and gives it body along with a healthy dose of potassium and vitamins A, B6, and C. These strengthen the immune system and help prevent hypertension and diabetes.
When the lentils were nearly done, and while the plantains cooled, I added the tomato puree and allowed it to simmer over medium heat for about 30 minutes or so.
Then, I chopped the plantain in small bites (for my son’s sake), added them and a bit of salt to the soup, and allowed the dish to simmer under low heat. Meanwhile, I boiled some eggs.
I always serve one boiled egg with each bowl of this soup. It adds another layer of texture to the dish, plus a nice portion of protein.
Earthy, hearty, nourishing, delicious. This is a low-cost mainstay in my kitchen.
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